Update  – THREE POINTS, CA (Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 at 11:59 a.m.) —The Mesa View fire has been held at 24 acres, according to Angeles National Forest Public Information Officer Nathan Judy. The fire is currently 75% contained with full containment expected this afternoon. “We’re working to improve the hand line and we’re mopping up,” Judy told The Mountain Enterprise Sunday as 200 firefighters were still working the fire. Two helicopters, one fixed-wing air tanker and one bulldozer are working the fire today, Judy said.

Update NEW PHOTOS ADDED  – THREE POINTS, CA (Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 at 9:32 p.m.) —Photographer Gunnar Kuepper said Battalion 31 Chief Rod Guillory with the Angeles National Forest (ANF) estimated about 300 firefighters from ANF, Los Angeles County Fire and Kern County Fire Departments were on site. The Mesa View fire was estimated to be 20 acres and holding.

There was major air support until darkness: 2 airtankers; 2 L.A. County Superscoopers; and about 5 Helicopters. “We were both not sure, but agreed to have seen five, and one of the helicopters worked until 9 pm in total darkness,” Kuepper said.

“Having attended to over 15 wildland fires in the greater [Mountain Communities] area, I’m still in awe of the dedication and capabilities of this wildland fire crews. Right now, they are climbing extremely steep terrain in total darkness to contain the fire,” Kuepper added.

Update  – THREE POINTS, CA (Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 at 9:23 p.m.) —Winds are at about 2 miles per hour coming from the southwest. Firefighters estimate that the Mesa View fire is about 40% contained at this time.

THREE POINTS, CA (Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 at 8 p.m.) —A fire has started in rugged, steep terrain south of Gorman, off Highway 138 and the Old Ridge Route Road, about 3 miles south of Pine Canyon Road. Interstate 5 is not affected at this time. The fire appears to have started in the Angeles National Forest, in Los Angeles County, about two miles before the gate to the Old Ridge Route. An estimated 300 to 400 Forest Service and L.A. County Fire Department personnel are on the job.

Though an information officer has not yet been assigned, the blaze is now referred to as the Mesa View fire. Tonight, after dark, two helicopters are still working the fire. Earlier, there were 4 fixed wing planes laying retardant and possibly 6 helicopters, according to photographer Gunnar Kuepper. Southern California Edison is also onsite, concerned about power poles that transit the area to supply the Mountain Communities and beyond.

At 6:30 p.m. photographer and community reporter JoAnn Childers-Word took photos of the fire in its early stages.

“If they do not get it under control tomorrow,it will be a fire to watch…” said Kuepper, adding, “Angeles National Forest and L.A. County are putting in absolutely immense resources on this.” He said it looks as if the fire will be burning for several days.

This is part of the September 21, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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