Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 8:45
A brush fire erupted Friday afternoon in the Antelope Valley community of Llano, quickly spreading into the Angeles National Forest and threatening homes in both Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. The Summit Fire was first reported around 12:50 p.m. near Jesus Canyon Road and East Avenue Z, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Within hours, it had consumed hundreds of acres, driven by mid-90-degree temperatures and dry conditions. The fire broke out just east of Piñon Hills. “It won’t take much of a wind shift to drive it into our backyard,” said Capt. Eric Sherwin, a San Bernardino County fire spokesman.
Early reports from Patch and the Daily News indicated the fire had burned approximately 1,300 acres by 3:30 p.m., with no containment. However, by 3:59 p.m., Cal Fire updated the size to approximately 1,600 acres, as reported by the Desert Sun and Yahoo News. By 6 p.m., the fire had grown to 2,271 acres, according to fire officials. The Angeles National Forest confirmed the fire was burning into its jurisdiction, moving in a south-southeast direction toward Wrightwood. As of late Friday, the Angeles National Forest reported the fire had charred 2,677 acres, with containment at 0%. According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Summit Fire had burned approximately 2,581 acres and was 0% contained as of 3:30 p.m. local time. Subsequent updates showed the fire at 2,677 acres by 9:21 p.m., then 2,679 acres by 8:02 a.m. Saturday, and 2,690 acres by 3:40 p.m. Saturday. As of 8 a.m. Saturday, a CAL FIRE status report showed the fire had grown to 2,679 acres and was 0% contained, with no reported injuries or damage to structures. By 9 p.m. Friday, the LACFD reported the fire had grown to 2,709 acres, though that acreage was later assessed at 2,679 acres when forward progress was successfully stopped early Saturday morning. As of the latest update, the Summit Fire is 2,690 acres and 86% contained.
Los Angeles County issued mandatory evacuation orders for zones LAC-E107 and LAC-E127-C. Zone LAC-E107 is bounded by Jubilee Road to the north, Pearblossom Highway to the south, Largo Vista Road to the east, and 263rd Street East to the west. Zone LAC-E127-C is bounded by Cardinal Road to the north, Angeles Crest Highway to the south, Timberline Drive to the east, and Cardinal Road to the west. Evacuation warnings were also issued for nearby areas, including zones LAC-E126-A, LAC-E127-A, LAC-E127-B, LAC-E128-A, and LAC-E1340. An evacuation order was also issued for the area around East Avenue Z and Fort Tejon Road. As of 4 p.m., no road closures were officially reported, but officials urged residents to avoid the area. No evacuation advisories were in effect for San Bernardino County as of 4 p.m. Nearly 600 people were under a combination of evacuation orders and evacuation warnings. An evacuation shelter opened at Antelope Valley Family YMCA, located at 43001 10th St W in Lancaster, where small pets are allowed. An animal shelter for small animals is available at Los Angeles County Animal Care Center at 38550 Sierra Highway in Palmdale. Evacuation warnings were also issued for zones LAC-E107-B and LAC-E127-D, according to the new source. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department urged residents who may need additional time to evacuate, including those with pets or livestock, to leave immediately. Two evacuation shelters are available to residents affected by the fire: the Antelope Valley Family YMCA and the Los Angeles County Animal Care Center.
To combat the extreme fire behavior, ten air tankers have been dispatched to dump water and retardant. Air assets remain under a strict "no-divert" order, meaning they are locked to this incident and cannot be pulled away for other fires. Air Attack commanders have explicitly requested a Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) and three additional standard airtankers to help reinforce containment lines. Ground crews report that some outbuildings have already been damaged or destroyed, and occupied homes stand directly in the path of the advancing flames. No injuries have been reported at this time. Fire crews prepared for an extended battle as nearly a dozen aircraft hit the flames from above. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft dropped water on the flames, with helicopters refilling from an aqueduct. At least one military C-130 aircraft also assisted. "I think we saw like seven or eight helicopters, and then five or six planes. There were some really big ones. Cal Fire is out here putting in their best efforts, for sure," said Nicholas Cox of Apple Valley. The blaze erupted during the afternoon amid hot conditions. "Temperatures were in excess of nearly 100 degrees here. I know we had some winds about 10 to 15 miles an hour coming out of the east," said Los Angeles County Fire Department Engineer Jonathan Torres. All children and counselors were safely evacuated from the AYF Camp south of the fire's location. Residents watched the fire spread across mountain terrain. "We've definitely have seen it start down low. We've seen it work its way up the mountain, and it looks like its cresting over this ridge right now, but that's the biggest concern, honestly, going back toward Wrightwood," said Drew Everett of Apple Valley. Fire officials said the blaze was burning toward the area of the Bridge Fire burn scar near Wrightwood, where nearly 100 structures were destroyed in a previous wildfire. The Summit Fire damaged some buildings, though many others were saved. Residents captured images and video as smoke darkened the sky. Some residents, including Bud Horstmeyer of Piñon Hills, chose to remain and monitor conditions despite the fire's rapid spread. "Just wasn't enough work on it right away, and it just kind of got out of hand, but they'll get it out. These guys are the best," Horstmeyer said.
The Summit Fire is the latest in a series of wildfires affecting Southern California's wildland-urban interface, particularly in the Antelope Valley and San Gabriel Mountains. The region has a history of fast-moving fires, including the 2020 Bobcat Fire, which burned over 115,000 acres in the Angeles National Forest. The current fire threatens communities like Llano, Piñon Hills, and Wrightwood, which are at high risk due to dry vegetation and steep terrain.
California's wildfire season has become increasingly severe due to climate change, with hotter temperatures and prolonged drought creating ideal conditions for rapid fire spread. The Angeles National Forest, spanning over 700,000 acres, is a frequent hotspot for wildfires, often requiring multi-agency responses. The Summit Fire's rapid growth underscores the challenges faced by firefighters in containing blazes in remote, rugged areas.
The Summit Fire remains an active threat, with evacuation orders in place and containment at 0%. Residents in affected zones should follow official guidance and monitor updates from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Cal Fire. The situation is developing, and further updates are expected. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory due to the fire, which will be in effect until 5 p.m. Saturday. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health also issued a smoke advisory for portions of the county. For additional information, visit: lacounty.gov/emergency.
PREVIOUS UPDATES ALREADY INCORPORATED INTO THE TEXT:
UPDATE 1: The Angeles National Forest says the fire has charred 2,677 acres as of Saturday morning. Containment remained at 0%.
UPDATE 2:
Firefighters on Saturday stopped the forward progress of the Summit Fire at 5:23 a.m., with the blaze holding at 2,677 acres, but containment remained at 0%, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. “Overnight weather conditions created tactical opportunities allowing crews to create defensive positions to reduce the fire’s ability to spread. Firefighters will continue to fight active fire sources while providing structure defense for residences in the affected areas,” the Angeles National Forest reported Saturday. “Weather today continues to be hot and dry with temperatures approaching 100 degrees with relative humidity in the single digits and winds gusting up to 25 mph along ridge tops. The current state of the weather and vegetation create the potential for rapid fire growth and significant fire behavior.” The firefighting effort is being handled under the unified command of the LACFD, the U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino County Fire, Cal Fire, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Officials also announced that drones are prohibited over the area while crews are actively working the fire.
By 9 p.m., the LACFD reported that the fire had increased to 2,709 acres.
UPDATE 3:
As of Saturday, evacuation warnings have been issued for San Bernardino County zones PIN006, PIN005, and WWD03, according to the latest information from LAist. These warnings are in addition to the existing Los Angeles County evacuation orders and warnings. The fire remains at over 2,600 acres with 0% containment, and hot, dry weather with temperatures up to 100 degrees could lead to rapid fire growth. A smoke advisory remains in effect for parts of L.A. County.
PREVIOUS UPDATES ALREADY INCORPORATED INTO THE TEXT:
UPDATE 1:
Evacuation warnings were also issued for zones LAC-E107-B and LAC-E127-D, according to the new source.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for the Summit Fire. South Coast AQMD released a map outlining the areas under the wildfire smoke advisory. AQMD Monitors said the smoke from the wildfire is being pushed south towards the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Bernardino area. AQMD added that smoke levels may rise if the fire spreads further south. Residents in the San Gabriel Mountains, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead and other communities in the San Bernardino Mountains may reach a level unhealthy for sensitive groups by Friday night. The advisory will last until at least 5 p.m. Saturday. By that time, the wind should push the smoke north and away from the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains. AQMD urged residents in the affected area to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed. They recommended that residents run their air conditioners or air purifiers. Officials recommended that anyone going outside should wear an N95 or P100 respirator.
PREVIOUS UPDATES ALREADY INCORPORATED INTO THE TEXT: UPDATE 1: Fueled by dangerous fire weather conditions, the Summit Fire grew explosively Friday amid triple-digit heat near the northern edge of the Angeles National Forest in the Antelope Valley. While California and Los Angeles County are not currently in drought, fire weather conditions can still develop as extreme heat dries out vegetation and fuels wildfire growth. The combination of extreme heat, critically dry vegetation and periods of gusty afternoon winds is expected to support active fire behavior through the weekend that could allow the blaze to continue spreading while making containment more difficult for firefighters. According to CalFire, the blaze is threatening structures, and the cause of it remains under investigation. UPDATE 2: By Saturday afternoon, the fire had burned at least 2,690 acres and was 8% contained, with officials reporting moderating growth. “Growth is moderating. We’re taking advantage of lower temperatures today to make some progress,” San Bernardino County Fire Department Capt. Eric Sherwin said on Saturday. “We’re hoping to have some containment numbers by sunset.” The flames were most active Saturday on the southern flank, which Sherwin called “encouraging” as they had pushed into the burn scar from the Bridge fire that burned 56,030 acres in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties in 2024. Activity on the northern edge decreased in the past two days, Sherwin added. Steep and rugged terrain can make it difficult for firefighters to dig breaks around the fire that will prevent flames from jumping. More details were not available about that challenge on Saturday afternoon. Local temperatures were in the upper 90s Saturday, but were expected to drop to the lower 90s Monday. The cause of the fire remained under investigation Saturday. It ignited in a populated area, Sherwin said.
PREVIOUS UPDATES ALREADY INCORPORATED INTO THE TEXT: UPDATE 1:
Photos published by Cal Fire showed flames burning what appeared to be Joshua trees and other desert plants near 248th Street and Avenue Z in Llano. A California Department of Fish and Wildlife dataset shows the Joshua tree range extending into northern Los Angeles County, near the location of the fire. The plant is unique to the Mojave Desert, San Bernardino Mountains and Sonoran Desert, according to the National Park Service. Joshua trees are protected under a 2023 California law that “prohibits the importation, export, take, possession, purchase, or sale of any western Joshua tree in California unless authorized” by the state. That same year, the York Fire torched thousands of Joshua trees in Mojave National Preserve. In 2020, more than a million Joshua trees died during the Dome Fire in the preserve.
UPDATE 4:
Military C-130 Modular Airborne FireFighting System (MAFFS) airtankers were deployed to support firefighting efforts, providing critical surge capacity as firefighters battled the fast-moving wildfire. These military airtankers conducted Aerial Quick Strike missions, dropping fire retardant on the Summit Fire.
As of July 15, 2026, the Summit Fire reached 72% containment, with firefighters continuing to make progress building containment lines. Fire activity was minimal with no perimeter growth, though interior pockets and heavy fuels continued to smolder. Dense annual vegetation remained highly receptive to ignition due to recent hot, dry, and windy conditions. CAL FIRE Damage Inspection (DINS) teams completed their field assessments. An Extreme Heat Warning remained in effect until Thursday evening, posing hazards including heat-related illnesses and rolling material. There was also a continued threat of thunderstorms bringing lightning and sudden wind shifts, with potential erratic wind gusts exceeding 40 mph and heavy downpours. Crews continued mopping up hot spots and patrolling control lines. Sustained heat and poor overnight humidity recovery could reactivate previously dormant heat sources. Recent burn areas and prior fuel treatments at the head of the fire aided suppression efforts.
All evacuation warnings were lifted as of July 14, 2026, allowing residents to resume normal activities. However, residents were urged to be cautious of first responders on scene and remain alert for any status updates. The Extreme Heat Warning remained in effect through Thursday evening, increasing the risk of heat-related illness for ground personnel. Operational priorities focused on maintaining strict safety protocols and monitoring for potential thunderstorms. Crews continued strengthening control lines, mopping up hot spots, and identifying secondary contingency lines.
The cause of the Summit Fire remained under investigation as of July 14, 2026. Unified Command emphasized that unverified reports circulating on social media claiming to reveal how the fire started were unsubstantiated rumors. Trained fire investigators from the Los Angeles County Fire Department were analyzing evidence and needed time to perform a complex investigation. The public and media were strongly encouraged to avoid spreading unverified claims and to rely solely on official updates from partner agencies.
PREVIOUS UPDATES ALREADY INCORPORATED INTO THE TEXT: UPDATE 1:
As of 6:10 a.m. on July 16, 2026, the Summit Fire reached 86% containment. Firefighters continue to make steady progress, actively constructing and reinforcing control lines. A hot weather pattern remains over the incident, bringing elevated risks for heat-related illnesses alongside onshore winds expected to generate southerly gusts of 25 to 35 mph. While a Red Flag Warning is currently in effect for areas northwest of the Summit Fire, no warning is active for the immediate incident footprint, and the threat of thunderstorms has significantly decreased compared to previous days. Personnel and the public are urged to remain vigilant, stay hydrated, and practice heat safety.
On July 15, 2026, firefighters continued making significant progress building and strengthening control lines. Dry conditions resulted in low relative humidities with minimal overnight recovery. These conditions, combined with exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures, may reveal once-dormant heat sources across the incident. Larger fuels and interior pockets of unburned vegetation will continue to burn off. Crews are currently operating in steep, rocky terrain. Local roads are narrow and rocky, presenting challenging driving conditions for emergency equipment. An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect through 8:00 p.m. on Thursday. While general winds are expected to remain light and typical for the area, an onshore wind push is forecasted for Thursday afternoon, bringing southerly wind gusts between 25 and 35 mph. There is currently an active Red Flag Warning for areas immediately northwest of the fire, but there are no plans to issue a Red Flag Warning for the Summit Fire footprint itself, as the threat of thunderstorm activity has dropped significantly. Over the next 24 to 48 hours, the prolonged exposure to direct sun, extreme heat, and low relative humidities will keep fuels highly receptive, potentially exposing deeper, previously dormant heat sources. Heavy fuels will continue to smolder well within the containment lines. If conditions continue to trend as predicted over the next 72 hours, fire behavior is expected to remain minimal with no anticipated growth or significant active fire spread.
Progress continues to be made on the Summit Fire. The Los Angeles County Fire Department said Monday morning that crews are holding containment lines and mopping up hotspots, with the blaze 39% contained. “No further fire growth is expected,” county fire officials said. The blaze broke out Friday afternoon in rural, rugged terrain near Llano, a community 25 miles southeast of Palmdale. Evacuation warnings and road closures remain in effect for two zones near the fire area because of “potential interior fire behavior and a heavy presence of emergency vehicles.” “While all evacuation orders were downgraded Sunday and no further fire growth is expected, active winds mean residents may still see localized smoke and brief interior flare-ups well within the established burn area,” the fire department’s release said.
