Fire breaks out on Sunday, September 6
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The fire was reported Sunday around 1 p.m. near Cogswell Dam, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Officials said it had a high potential for growth, and crews were "experiencing erratic fire behavior." The rugged terrain, access and triple-digit temperatures created difficult and dangerous conditions for battling the blaze. The U.S. Forest Service announced the closure of several national forests, including the Angeles National Forest, due to ongoing fire danger across the state.
Bobcat fire acreage and containment
After just three days, the fire ripped through 19,796 acres. A week later, it had scorched 33,312 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations as it burned downhill toward communities in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The U.S. Forest Service initially estimated for full containment on Oct. 15, but that has been pushed back to Oct. 30.
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Even if we don't know the cause of this fire, how do wildfires start?
People provide more than 90% of the sparks that start California's wildfires. But what makes California burn so much? "California has a really flammable ecosystem," said University of Colorado fire scientist Jennifer Balch. "People are living in flammable places, providing ignition, starting the wildfires against a backdrop of a warming climate that is making wildfires worse."
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Looking for more wildfire news and resources? Visit abc7.com/wildfires for everything you need to keep you and your family safe.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.