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Tanker Helicopter Helps Battle Wildfire Near Azusa

A fast-moving brush fire exacerbated by dry conditions in Southern California erupted in Azusa on Thursday, August 13, reports said.

Officials confirmed on Thursday afternoon that crews were responding to a fire headed toward San Gabriel Canyon, threatening structures. The blaze has been named the Ranch2 Fire (after initially being called the Ranch Fire).

Los Angeles County Fire Department spokeswoman Leslie Lua told local media the fire grew from less than two acres as of 2.45 pm to more than 600 acres by 4.30 pm.

As of 8 pm, the fire had burned 3,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest.

Police announced immediate evacuation orders for Mountain Cove community residents but lifted the mandate after the fire shifted direction away from the homes and into the Angeles National Forest.

State Route 39 was closed in both directions due to the fire.

This video shows a firefighting helicopter drafting water from a lake near Azusa on Thursday evening.

As of Friday afternoon, August 14, the fire was 2,500 acres and was zero percent contained, officials said. Credit: @MzShanon via Storyful