PIÑON HILLS, Calif. (KABC) — The bridge fire has already destroyed homes in Wrightwood and Mount Baldy. Now, residents of nearby Piñon Hills fear it’s only a matter of time before their own homes are reduced to ashes.

The Bridge Fire, which began Sunday in the San Gabriel Canyon area, exploded in size in a matter of days, burning some 49,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon. The blaze has destroyed about 40 buildings, mostly homes, in Mount Baldy and Wrightwood. The fire continues to threaten thousands more as firefighters battle to keep the flames out of neighborhoods.

Piñon Hills is about six miles from Wrightwood, and flames came dangerously close Tuesday night, sending residents scrambling to evacuate with only the most essential belongings.

Some returned on Wednesday, but ash and smoke remained thick in the air.

Rochelle, a local resident still recovering from brain surgery, struggled to find the right words and was overcome with emotion as she described her fears about her home and pets.

“I have a shop where I stay with my camper, with my animals ready to go. It’s just, it’s…”

“She went through so much during her brain surgery,” said her friend Heidi.

“Kudos to the fire department,” Rochelle added. “I pray everyone is safe.”

“It’s been a lot,” Heidi said. “It’s okay.”

The air was so thick with smoke and ash that one man lost his horse while trying to evacuate.

Vikki Montegna of Vikki’s Pet Services volunteered to help remove the horse’s body. She also helps other residents evacuate and transport animals.

For her, it’s about helping her own community.

“I’m glad I’m doing it because I feel like I’m helping them,” Montegna said. “It’s very genuine.”

“I raised my children in these areas,” she added. “So to see these places burning… I just lost my significant other, who was the fire chief in Wrightwood, to cancer two years ago. So this is very harrowing for me.”

Cheyenne Price of Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue said her group evacuated more than 60 horses Wednesday afternoon.

“A lot of times, a lot of people in this community don’t have transportation for their horses or livestock at that time, and they need our help,” Price said. “Since we’re a local horse rescue, our community has supported us for the last 25 years, and this is our way of giving back to them.”