Brea Fire Shuts Down 57 Freeway In Diamond Bar, 16 Acres Burn

DIAMOND BAR, CA —Firefighters halted forward progress on a brush fire burning near Brea Canyon Road and the Orange Freeway in Diamond Bar on Wednesday afternoon.

Lanes on the 57 southbound were clear by 3 p.m., the northbound 57 freeway had three lanes of travel reopen.

Roughly 16 acres of grassland was scorched from the fast-moving fire, the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported. The wind-driven event sparked around noon and ballooned in size over the next two hours, according to the LAFD.

The blaze moved swiftly near South Brea Canyon Road and the 57 Freeway, the fire department said, jumping the northbound side of the 57 freeway, according to California Highway Patrol.

CHP initiated a full southbound shut down at Brea Canyon and a northbound shutdown at Lambert while firefighters battled active flames. During that time, drivers were told to avoid the freeway while the ground and air attack was underway. Even still, the heavily traveled roadway remained crammed with traffic exiting to side streets and alternate routes of travel.

Crews from Los Angeles and Orange County and the Fullerton Fire Department worked together to battle the Brea Fire, both on the ground and in the air.

By 3 p.m. were mopping up hotspots, according to LAFD reports.

Across California, wildfires continued to rage as winds fueled new flare-ups, Wednesday.

This is a developing report. Refresh for the latest information.

Due to fire, Caltrans is in the process of closing NB Route 57 at Lambert Road in Brea. Please avoid the area and use other roads. @CaltransOC @Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/WbA63Jt5i3
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) October 30, 2019