Published Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 01:31 AM PT

Burbank · Tuesday, July 14, 2026 · 1:31 AM · 70°F, 76% humidity, wind 0 mph S (gusts 2), 29.42 inHg, UV 0, PM2.5 5

A brush fire is burning in the hills above Azusa this morning, currently at approximately 25 acres and growing. Highway 39 is closed in both directions. Firefighting crews are on scene and actively working containment.

What you need to know right now:

If you’re in the Azusa area or the San Gabriel Valley foothills, stay alert. Highway 39 is your main corridor into those canyons — it’s shut down, so don’t try it. If you’re already in the affected zone, be ready to move. Fire departments monitor these fast-moving situations constantly; if evacuation orders come down, they’ll push them hard and fast. Listen to local emergency alerts and LAFD/Cal Fire radio traffic.

The fire started small — initial reports had it at 10 acres — and it’s grown to 25 as of the latest feed pull. That’s the speed we’re talking about. Azusa sits at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains where the terrain funnels wind straight up the canyons, and that geography turns a small fire into a problem in minutes. The crews know this. They’re moving accordingly.

If you live in Azusa proper or the foothills above it, have your go-bag ready. Phone chargers, irreplaceables, documents, meds, water. Not panic — just readiness. The difference between “oh shit, I have ten minutes” and “oh shit, I’m actually prepared” is everything.

Highway 39 closure means traffic’s going to back up on the 210 and local surface streets as people route around it. If you don’t have to be on those roads, don’t. Let the emergency vehicles work.

The local flavor: This is peak fire season in the San Gabriels. Azusa’s been through this dance before — the terrain, the heat, the low humidity, the Santa Anas when they kick up. The foothills above the city are tinderbox in July. Crews are trained for it, but Mother Nature doesn’t care about training; she cares about fuel, heat, and wind, and we’ve got all three cooking right now.

Stay tuned to LAFD, Cal Fire, and local news. I’ll update as the situation develops. For now: know where your exits are, keep your phone charged, and don’t treat a fire closure like a suggestion.