Winds could fan Mt. Baldy fire

As of this morning, the wildfire that started earlier this week on Mt. Baldy in the Angeles National Forest east of Los Angeles had consumed 340 acres, and authorities said that, with winds expected to pick up, it could grow later today.

The Big Horn Fire on U.S. Forest Service land was 25% contained as of 8 a.m. this morning, and 668 firefighters were battling flames that were spreading southwest, toward Los Angeles, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Dee Dechert.

“If we can hold it today, then I think we’re safe,” Dechert said.

Fixed-wing planes that dropped fire retardant on the blaze Wednesday are expected to return today but may not be able to fly in the high winds expected this afternoon, Dechert said. Several helicopters also are expected to assist firefighters today, she said.

Fire officials stationed extra strike teams of fire engines in Mt. Baldy Village this morning as a “precautionary” measure in case the fire threatens homes, Dechert said.

No structures burned, no injuries were reported and there were no added evacuations or road closures this morning as a result of the fire, Dechert said.

Mount Baldy Road remained closed to through traffic this morning at Shinn Road, and Glendora Ridge Road was closed at Mount Baldy Road and East Fork Road, Dechert said.

molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com