The Bobcat Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest has exploded in size to 26,368 acres as several San Gabriel Valley foothill communities remain under an evacuation warning.

The blaze was considered 6% contained by Thursday evening, after breaking out Sunday afternoon near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area of the forest. The U.S. Forest Service estimates the fire will not be fully contained until Oct. 15.

The blaze continued to roar through tinder-dry brush Thursday and doubled in size in 24 hours to nearly 24,000 acres, and it jumped Highway 39. Residents have been told to be ready to go if conditions take a turn, but officials say despite the dramatic flames seen burning above communities, the fire was moving in the opposite direction.

The fuel filled the air with smoke and ash miles from the fire lines, creating some of the worst air quality in 30 years.

The South Coast AQMD issued a smoke advisory for Thursday impacting most of Southern California. Smoke and ash from the Bobcat and El Dorado fires were to blame for the poor air quality Thursday in Southern California.

Several foothill communities near the Bobcat Fire are under an evacuation warning.

Monrovia residents were warned of potential evacuations on Monday, and the warning was then expanded to include the communities of Arcadia, Duarte, Bradbury, Sierra Madre, Pasadena and Altadena.

A "voluntary evacuation suggestion" by the city of Arcadia for residents north of Foothill Boulevard and east of Santa Anita Avenue was lifted about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday by city officials, who said the fire had "generally progressed away from" Arcadia.

https://abc7.com/bobcat-fire-in-angeles-national-forest-grows-to-over-26k-acres/6418513/