WRIGHTWOOD – A wildfire that broke out late Friday forced the evacuation of hundreds of campers from the forest in the San Gabriel Mountains near Wrightwood before firefighters were able to contain the fire over the weekend.
A Mount Kare cabin located in a 16-acre resident camping facility in the Angeles National Forest near the village of Wrightwood – courtesy of Kare Youth League
U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Lisa Lugo said about 300 campers, which included 130 deaf and hearing-impaired children, were evacuated from camps including the Lion’s, Apple Tree, Verdugo, Table Mountain and Peavin campgrounds. Additionally, about 90 Girl Scouts were evacuated from the Table Top Mount Campground, according to Sheriff’s officials.
But others escaped the evacuation zone on their own, breaking clear of the 200-acre blaze before authorities were able to reach them. One such group, the Kare Youth League, included more than 80 grade school girls and numerous staff members who fled their 16-acre resident camping facility at Mount Kare near Wrightwood in the Angeles National Forest.
The girls, ranging from grades four through six, who came from KYL facilities in Covina, Arcadia and Upland, were all reunited with their families Saturday morning following an adventurous exodus from the forest.
Kare Youth League organizers issued a statement on Saturday, describing their flight from the Pines Fire.
Organizers said that Mount Kare was actually clear and completely out of danger from the North Fire on the I-15 freeway earlier that day – but conditions soon changed.
“The North Fire was so removed, that the girls were going to have their normal camp fire but leadership decided it best not to have campfire because of unusually high winds and thus were all in the mess hall together when the Pines Fire was first spotted,” the Christian youth sports organization reported on its website at www.kyl.org. “God provided that wind for an important reason. They were all in the mess hall when they spotted the fire early.”
Members of the organization praised its leadership for immediately moving the children to the bus for evacuation.
“Pac-5 coaches made sure the girls on their teams were all present, while Mrs. Horton started the bus,” the organization stated. “The fire was very close to the Mt. Kare parking area but the leaders and assistants focused on calming the girls and directing them to safety.”
KYL members said that their bus experienced a technical problem driving away from the camp, so the group stopped for help at Jensen’s Market in Wrightwood, which was clear of any fire danger.
“Though the market was closed there was staff there stocking shelves and they opened their doors to receive the girls. They provided the girls snacks and water and let them use their restrooms. This greatly helped calm the girls before the final ride home,” the organization reported.
Members of the organization were able to retrieve another bus from the camp to safely return the girls to their homes in Upland and Arcadia.
On arrival in Arcadia at about midnight, “Mrs. Horton wisely kept the girls in the bus and went out to address all the parents,” members reported. “She calmly explained how God had protected them and intervened in their circumstances before they even knew there was fire. God certainly used Mrs. Horton’s actions and words to not only bless and keep the children safe, but to deliver His message to all the parents.”
U.S. Forest Service officials reported Sunday that the Pines Fire near Wrightwood was 40 percent contained, and Highway 2 was reopened. Authorities also lifted campground evacuations, reporting that the wildfire has scorched 200 acres since igniting on Friday night along Highway 2, between Wrightwood and Big Pines.
Full containment of the fire is not expected until July 26, according to officials.
The fire was first reported about 9:30 p.m. Friday along Angeles Crest Highway between Wrightwood and Big Pines, along the border between Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials.
U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Lisa Lugo cited heavy timber in steep terrain as the fire’s source of fuel. However, the cause of the fire is under investigation.
The fire resulted in no reported injuries, according to authorities.
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