Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - Firefighters have yet to gain any containment on the stubborn Bobcat Fire burning in the San Gabriel Mountains above Duarte.
The fire, which began burning midday Sunday, has scorched 4,871 acres and remains 0% contained. The fire continues to make a push northbound deeper into the Angeles National Forest. A potential small Santa Ana wind event Monday could drive the southern flank of the fire westbound, according to the US Forest Service. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Several hours before the fire sparked Sunday, the US Forest Service noted a high volume of people enjoying the wilderness in the West Fork picnic area near the origin of the fire. A number of vehicles were illegally parked along West Fork Road and the US Forest Service was looking for assistance in ticketing those illegally parked, according to US Forest Service radio traffic. Drifting smoke caused by the Bobcat Fire has created unhealthy air in the Pomona-Walnut Valley, East San San Gabriel Valley and San Gabriel Mountains, according to Los Angeles County Public Health. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MOUNTAINS - The fire burning well above Duarte, now dubbed the Bobcat Fire, has scorched more than 100 acres and is rapidly moving north towards Angeles Crest Highway, according to the US Forest Service.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is assisting the US Forest Service and has enacted a first alarm response. The fire is moving with a rapid rate of spread and is burning on both sides of the dam, according to the US Forest Service. LA County firefighters are at the damn initiating structure protection. Most, if not all, campgrounds in the surrounding area are being threatened by the fire, including the North Fork area, the East Fork area and Buckhorn Campground, in addition to the West Fork area, the US Forest Service said. The US Forest Service is requesting an additional three helicopters to supplement aircraft already on scene and six more ground crews. The Canadian-leased Super Scoopers are being requested. Firefighters are requesting that all northbound traffic along Highway 39 from the base of the mountain in Azusa to be shut down and turned back. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MOUNTAINS - A well-established fire is burning in the West Fork area of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The fire was observed by the US Forest Service just before 12:30 p.m. September 6. Forest Service firefighters are requesting mutual aid from the Los Angeles County Fire Department as well as a helicopter from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for search and rescue operations, according to the US Forest Service. The fire is burning near the West Fork river area near Cogswell Dam, which rests well above the Duarte and Monrovia communities. There are lots of people enjoying the wilderness in the West Fork area. Earlier in the day, the US forest service was busy ticketing people illegally parked along the roadway. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor AZUSA - Unstable, humid air from Tropical Storm Genevieve may create flash flood hazards as firefighters make gains on the Ranch 2 Fire containment Sunday.
All flanks of the fire remain stable and acreage did not increase overnight. The fire has scorched 4,237 acres and is 63 percent contained, according to the US Forest Service. While the chance of rain in the fire area is only 10 percent, crews remain vigilant as heavy rain may impact trails, access roads and communities below the mountains, the US Forest Service said. Crews continue to work the rugged mountain terrain, seeking out pockets of heat. The western edge of the fire remains a challenge, with persistent heat generated by the weather and the terrain making containment difficult. 412 personnel remain on scene, along with four water tenders, one fixed-wing aircraft, seven engines, four hand crews and three helicopters, according to the US Forest Service. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION – The Azusa transient accused of causing the brush fire still burning across the San Gabriel Mountains was charged Wednesday.
Osmin Palencia, 36, was charged with one felony count each of arson during a state of emergency and arson of a structure or forest, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Public Information Officer Ricardo Santiago. The Ranch 2 Fire began burning near Highway 39 and Ranch Road in the Azusa foothills Thursday, August 13. The fire has since scorched 4,300 acres and is 19 percent contained as of the morning of August 19, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. After Azusa Police publicized Palencia as a suspect in the Ranch 2 Fire, he surrendered to officers Sunday, August 16. His bail is set at $435,000. If convicted as charged, Palencia faces a possible maximum of 23 years in state prison. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MOUNTAINS - An aggressive attack kept the Dam Fire above Azusa from burning out of control Thursday.
Roughly 300 acres have burned near the Morris Dam along Highway 39. The fire scorched heavy brush as it moved north away from the foothills. People were evacuated north of Morris Dam up to Crystal Lake Road. Highway 39 into the Azusa Canyon will remain closed until Sunday, according to the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station. Non-residents will not be allowed up the mountain past El Encanto Restaurant, according to the Azusa Police Department. The fire was first dispatched just before 1:30 p.m. July 30. Firefighters from the US Forest Service and Los Angeles County Fire Department worked for suppress the flames. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LA HABRA HEIGHTS - A 100-foot by 100-foot spot fire is burning along a hillside, Los Angeles County firefighters said Monday.
The fire is creeping uphill near Hacienda Road and East Skyline Drive. The fire has a potential to char two acres. The threat to structures is minimal, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MOUNTAINS - Multiple agencies worked to suppress a brush fire that ignited in the mountains above Arcadia Monday. Firefighters from the US Forest Service, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Arcadia Fire Department, Monrovia Fire Department, Pasadena Fire Department, Sierra Madre Fire Department and Glendale Fire Department held the brush fire to seven acres.
The fire was first dispatched just before 12:30 p.m. July 20. No structures were threatened. Sierra Madre firefighters were first on scene, according to the Sierra Madre Fire Department. There were a number of hikers in the area when the fire ignited near the restroom area at Chantry Flats. The hikers were asked to shelter in place during the fire fight, according to the US Forest Service. The cause is under investigation. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - 20 U.S. Forest Service firefighters who spent nearly one month suppressing the devastating wildfires alongside the Victoria Rural Fire Service will return home Wednesday. The 20 local firefighters deployed as part of an effort to assist in extinguishing the Australian wildfires, which to date have killed an estimated 1 billion animals, killed more than 30 people and burned more than 27 million acres. “All of us on the forest, and I know their families are proud of the hard work our dedicated firefighters have accomplished while in Australia,” said Angeles Fire Chief Robert Garcia. “We look forward to hearing and learning from their experiences abroad.”
After arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, the firefighters will be taken to Los Angeles Fire Department Station 5 where they will be reunited with loved ones. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MOUNTAINS - A one-acre brush fire is burning a long Glendora Mountain Road near mile marker 9.3, firefighters said Sunday evening.
The fire is burning in what is described as a mixed fuels and is slowly creeping uphill. There are no structures threatened at this time, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. County firefighters will be working along with firefighters with the US Forest Service. Fog and a low cloud ceiling is making it difficult for helicopters to respond, firefighters said. |
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