LOS ANGELES—Fire season has officially erupted in Los Angeles as the Williams fire scorches the Angeles National Forest. The fire started Sunday afternoon fifteen miles north of Glendora and is burning through mixed conifer and chaparral. The fire has burnt 3,600 acres since it started and is now 15 percent contained, said the U.S. Forest Service. The National Forest Service expects the fire to be contained by next Thursday. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Around 800 firefighters from numerous fire departments and agencies are fighting the fire with aid from helicopters and air tankers. However, they are struggling to contain the blaze in the steep terrain and soaring temperatures over 95 degrees. Thus far, no structures have succumbed to the blaze, though there are structures being threatened, says the National Forest Service. Popular public areas that traditionally draw large crowds for labor day weekend, and are used for hiking, picnics, and camping, were evacuated. Evacuations and road closures for those living in the area are in effect, and the Red Cross has opened a shelter at Glendora High School, located at 1600 East Foothill Boulevard.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, a hiker stranded near the fire was airlifted to safety.

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