Monrovia Fire Updates

I am closing out this fire log. It appears the danger has mostly passed. Any new incidents I will report in new postings.

~ Sunday 6:39 a.m. City reported late last night that fire is 50% contained, no damaged or destroyed structures, one heat-related incident with a firefighter, that was treated on scene and is doing well. "Personnel has been downgraded to 20 fire engines, 6 hand crews. Air support remains available if needed. At the peak of Madison fire, there were 220 fire fighters fighting the blaze. All incident command will now go through the Emergency Operations Center at Monrovia City Hall. 'There is no imminent danger. Some flames are still burning, primarily off of Lotone and Heather Heights,' said Fire Chief Chris Donovan.

~ I think I will call it a night after I make two more observations: 1. I am totally impressed with the professionalism and inter-departmental cooperation that has been on display today. The Monrovia government, fire and police, and the county and other assisting agencies seem to have done a great job. 2. This should make us all write a list of what we should grab if we have to evacuate suddenly. I had to think about that today, and I realized it would have been much better if I had already thought about it. G'night.

~ EVACUATION LIFTED: "Mandatory evacuation orders are being lifted for all neighborhoods EXCEPT Hidden Valley, Alta Vista, Briar Cliff and Highland. Residents may return to their homes, effective immediately. Residents in the Alta Vista, Briar Cliff, Hidden Valley and Highland neighborhoods can continue to seek support at the Red Cross shelter at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W Palm Avenue, Monrovia, CA." City of Monrovia Facebook posting

~ Video interview with Monrovia Fire Chief Donovan. He estimates full containment by tomorrow evening. He said a shelter is open but nobody is using it. Night operations will be focused on cutting containment lines.  http://goo.gl/0YcCY

~ Fire slowing. LA Times reports: "City spokeswoman Jennifer McLain said the fire appears to have died down somewhat, and Monrovia Fire Chief Chris Donovan 'is very comfortable with the situation.'" http://goo.gl/0ph2J

~ 8:20 Barely a breath of wind outside. The helicopters have stopped, perhaps because it is too dark.

~ I can't see a spot of smoke or a glimmer of orange on the hillsides, but police cars with flashing lights are blocking northbound roads where they intersect Hillcrest.

~ Raw footage of the fire from earlier today on KGEM. http://kgem.tv/

~ 7:58 p.m. Twitter reporter "E. SGV Scanner," who reports on police scanner traffic, says: "Resident alleges most of the 300 block of N Highland is w/o power. Edison reportedly shut it off due to the fire, PD said."  Also E. SGV Scanner says police from Covina, Sierra Madre, Claremont, El Monte "and probably more" are aiding Monrovia.

~ 7:33 p.m. I can't see a spot of smoke from my house but helicopters still going back and forth. As long as there's light, I guess. Sounds like good progress.

~ "The Pasadena Firefighter injured earlier in the day was able to be treated on scene and is doing fine." From City website.

~ "The concern for tonight is downwind draft, which is typical for foothill areas," said Monrovia Fire Chief Chris Donovan. "I am comfortable with the situation and the lack of wind." From City website.

~ City of Monrovia "will discuss in the next hours lifting evacuations," according to a city Twitter post. Well, too early to relax, but that sounds like good news.

~ A great set of pro (make that "awesome") photos of the fire at the Star-News: http://goo.gl/rcEvy

~ The brush on the hillsides is dry and 55 to 100 years old and is in difficult terrain, Monrovia spokeswoman Jennifer McLain said. She added that "this has been a topography and fuel-driven fire."  http://goo.gl/8UTj8

~ Los Angeles Fire Department has assigned a strike team and a helicopter to the Monrovia fire.  http://goo.gl/n0OHA

~ KTLA reporter Christina Pascucci writes on Twitter that the chief (Monrovia Chief, I'd guess) said humidity may go up tonight, which should help. Also, as mentioned below, concern about gusts.

~ Wonder Dog Ranch, of Monrovia, is offering to board your pet if you are an evacuee. Here is its website: http://wonderdogranch.com/

~ City of Monrovia reports fire has now burned 170 acres and 10% contained.

~ Six second looping video I just shot of a helicopter returning from dropping water. https://vine.co/v/bUPuDaYOq7l

~ ABC7 reports that winds are pushing the fire to the north, but the winds tend to shift with sundown and that could be a problem. Particular area of concern: Highland Place.

~ Pasadena Humane Society is offering evacuees free boarding for their pets. Call 626.792.7151.

~ Wind apparently from south to north, blowing away from the main part of town, but there are homes up in the hills.

~ 5:28 Live video from the air. http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/live

~ 5:04 - VOLUNTARY EVACUATION: Just got an automated call from Monrovia FD saying the department recommends evacuating for residents east of Fifth, west of Bradbury and north of Hillcrest. (I had Foothill instead of Hillcrest earlier. I think we mis-heard it since a neighbor was very sure it said "north of Hillcrest.")

~ MORE MANDATORY EVACUATIONS: Mandatory Evacuations have expanded to include the following neighborhoods: Crescent, El Nido, Highland from Foothill, Franklin, Scenic 400-500 blocks, Cloverleaf, Lotone, Hidden Valley, Ridgeside, Briar Cliff, Golden Hills, and everything west of Canyon Park North of Scenic. http://goo.gl/a4lG5

~ "If you haven't already, be sure to check with the elderly in your neighborhood to make sure they are aware of the situation and have an evacuation plan if necessary." City Facebook post

~ ABC7 Eyewitness News says the fire has consumed 150 acres and is 10 percent contained.

~ 4:36. Random remembrance and reminder to self to be careful: Long ago I wrote a story for the Star-News and led with a quote from a fire captain who said that if the winds continued to die down a fire above Duarte would be contained with no damage to structures. That night the wind kicked up and 80 homes burned down.

~ 4:20 It could be my imagination, but the smoke seems more dissipated. But that is a very distant and amateur observation. Don't give it much credence.

~ Several folks on Twitter have reported a bear on the fire line. Smokey?

~ 3:42 Fire Department says no structures "directly threatened" right now.

~ 3:39 Star-News reporter says: "Fire at 90 acres, 10 percent contained. 60 engines, 5 helicopters, 2 airplanes, 2 dozers and 6 hand crews are working the blaze."

~ Map of mandatory evacuation area. http://goo.gl/6Cpwo

~ Monrovia Fire Chief Chris Donovan is asking for a mandatory evacuation of homes on Heather Heights, Alta Vista, Melrose, Magnolia, Hidden Valley, Mesa Circle, Sky Way, and Patrician Way.

 3:25 Monrovia Police closing streets north of Foothill Blvd, Lincoln to Myrtle to thru traffic. Residents can still get to/from homes. City report on Twitter

- 3:09 Hills above Monrovia haven't burned in years. No lack of fuel.

- 3:07 Occasional gusts have started. Not good.

- 3:06 Flames easily visible from various points along Hillcrest.

~ 2:56. Airplanes are dropping the red flame retardant now.

~ 2:45. One report says fire has consumed more than 18 acres now.

~  2:44 p.m. From my vantage point it appears the fire is pretty big and is heading down the east slope of the hills toward Hidden Valley (just off the top end of Alta Vista).

~ Police recommend hillside residents living west of Myrtle evacuate their homes as a precaution. http://goo.gl/B3jAJ

~ KGEM reports on Twitter that evacuation center has been set up at the Community Center.

~ LA County Fire Department reports it is assisting with Monrovia Fire. Including an air rescue unit, if needed.

~ ABC News says no structures threatened yet.

~ City of Monrovia reports "Local fire agencies are going door-to-door to notify residents. The US Forest Service and Los Angeles County are also assisting."

- Brad Haugaard