Hikers Evacuated as ‘Chantry Fire’ Ignites on Hillside Near Hermit Falls

[UPDATED]

By BRIAN DAY

[UPDATED 3:30 p.m.]

[UPDATED 3:00 p.m.]  A brush fire dubbed the Chantry Fire broke out on a hillside near Chantry Flat in the Angeles National Forest north of Sierra Madre on Monday afternoon, quickly scorching 7 acres, approaching homes and prompting hikers to shelter in place before firefighters got the upper hand, officials said.

The fire was first reported just after 1 p.m., according to the U.S. Forest Service. It was initially reported at an acre to an acre-and-a-half in size, “with a moderate rate of spread,” the agency said via social media.

“It is backing down towards Hermit Falls. Please stay away from the area,” according to a Forest Service tweet.

“Many hikers are in the area and are sheltering in place until assisted evacuation occurs,” the USFS said. “There are no injuries reported.”

Within just over 30 minutes, the fire was reported at 5 acres in size, officials said.

It was moving “aggressively toward homes, said Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. Pasadena firefighters were summoned to assist their Forest Service counterparts in the effort.

But firefighters made quick headway in controlling the flames.

“(The) incident commander reports the fire is backing down still and should be able to hold it at 5 acres with resources on hand,” according to a Forest Service tweet.The fire was later upgraded to 7 acres in size.

The flames were 50% contained by 4 p.mofficials said.

A firefighter suffered an injury after being hit in the shoulder by a rock and was airlifted out to a hospital for treatment, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

About 120 firefighters responded to the blaze, along with six helicopters, officials said.