Firefighters Build Defensive Lines on Western and Southern Edges of Bobcat Fire - Emphasis Shifts East to Highway 39

From City Manager Dylan Feik:

"Overnight, the Bobcat Fire continues to grow, moving in a northeasterly direction but is also slowly burning towards the west. As the foothill area above Monrovia has not seen a fire in over 60 years, residents will notice that at certain times the fire will be more visible, especially when brush catches fire for the first time in 60 years or more. The fire will continue to be visible from the City with plumes of smoke during the day. Firefighting crews have spent considerable time building defensive lines on the western and southern edges of the fire. Now, efforts are being focused on the east and northeastern edges of the fire. The goal is to keep the fire from jumping Highway 39. 

"Please note...the fire is burning at a high elevation, with fuels that historically have not burned, and is surrounded by defensible space, dozer lines, and even recently burned areas from fires in the past 3-4 years. The area will likely burn for several weeks until it is fully extinguished by crews."

- Brad Haugaard

City Manager: Today's Air Support; Northward Winds (Hopefully) Coming Up

Notice the fire break is red. I think the planes are enhancing the fire breaks' fire-stopping ability.

 Notice the plane is following white smoke lines put down (I think) by the smaller guide plane.

Great photos courtesy of Sam Kurutz.

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that "two air tankers were able to make several drops of fire retardant (which we call "Phos-Chek" and is pronounced "fozz-check") on the southwest portion of the fire, which is right above Monrovia, to reinforce and strengthen previously applied fire lines. Additionally, several more resources arrived at the fire late in the day, including a sky crane helicopter and two more hotshot crews."

"Overnight, fire personnel will continue to monitor the fire's behavior and growth. One important term I learned today is that we have planned for a wind-driven fire, but we are observing a terrain-driven fire. For example, last night, the Santa Ana winds were forecast to push the fire southwest toward Monrovia. The fire moved east and northeast. As we wrap up the Red Flag Warning which ended at 8:00 p.m. this evening, winds are forecast to begin blowing northward which is a positive for us."

- Brad Haugaard

Painting the Mountains Red

Many thanks to Shane Nichols for sharing these photographs of a jet dropping red fire retardant along a firebreak in the mountains above Monrovia. The plane is flying downhill.

- Brad Haugaard

Dropping Fire Retardant

Aircraft dropping fire retardant late Wednesday afternoon. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 709, Up 9 For Week; No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 9/8/2020. Changes since 9/2/2020.

City of Monrovia: 709 cases (up 9), 37 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 77 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Air Support

Planes are now dumping fire retardant on the south face of the Bobcat Fire. I have observed propeller and jet aircraft, and an LA County Fire helicopter. 

- Brad Haugaard 

BLM Helps Fight Bobcat Fire

Photo taken at the top of Ridgeside Drive, near the entrance to the Wilderness Preserve. 

Monrovia is getting out-of-state help, the Aravaipa Hotshots, a BLM (Bureau of Land Managemeent) team based near Fort Huachuca, Arizona. It is made up mostly of military veterans and provides "a highly skilled, safe, mobile, and professional handcrew for all phases of wildland fire suppression, and all risk assignments." https://is.gd/gJ2rVy

- Brad Haaugaard

Fire Slow, Wind May Shift to Northward, Possible That Airplanes May Assist

Report from City Manager Dylan Feik:

Throughout the night, the fire slowly burned on Rankin Peak. It moved south a bit but also east and north from the foothill communities of Monrovia, Arcadia and Duarte. The San Gabriel region continues to be on high alert for Santa Ana winds since noon yesterday and the red flag warning will continue to 8 p.m. tonight. By late tonight, the weather forecast is that wind will push north in our favor. That is a good thing. 

We want to remind everyone that fire can spread quickly and residents should be cognizant that the fire will continue to burn throughout the day and large plumes of smoke will be visible from across the region.

If conditions are good, flyovers will occur regularly to assess the situation. Fixed wing aircraft will engage the fire and perform fire extinguishing procedures including laying down fire retardant. 

- Brad Haugaard

Opinion: Goats as Firefighting Equipment

Let me be optimistic for a moment. Let's assume that the Bobcat Fire is stopped well above Monrovia. That would be wonderful. But what about the future?

I understand that large swaths of brush above Monrovia haven't burned since 1957. That's an awful lot of dry brush, and if it doesn't burn now it'll burn later, and more intensely because there'll be even more of it. I understand that if it burns too hot it destroys the plants and their seeds.

What could we do about that? Well, there are controlled burns, but I'm sure they are very expensive and there is always the possibility they will get out of control and we could cause the disaster we want to prevent.

Here's another idea. I was talking with City Historian Steve Baker about the fire and he mentioned that long ago goats were used to control the underbrush. Add goats, they eat underbrush, and the amount of fuel is reduced. Then round up the fat goats and send them off elsewhere.

He said this was stopped for environmental reasons, but I imagine things have changed since then and perhaps now the environmental concerns can be more effectively addressed.

I'm no expert on goats and underbrush and fires but it seems goats should at least be considered. And if not goats then something else, because the more the brush builds up the bigger a disaster it could be in the future. 

- Brad Haugaard

City Spreading Fire Retardant, Bulldozing Fire Breaks

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that Monrovia and neighboring city agencies spent all of Tuesday laying down fire retardant at Canyon Park and the Camp Trask Boy Scout, in the mountains above Canyon Park. He said they have also been cutting bulldozer lines as defensive measures. 

- Brad Haugaard

City Manager Advice on How to Get Fire and Evacuation Information

City Manager Dylan Feik writes that, “I am urging residents living in the evacuation area to assist your emergency responders by making sure you do the following: 

• Sign up for Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777  
• Subscribe to Alert LA 
• Keep cellphone ringers on with volumes loud

"Lastly, the Monrovia Community Center will continue to be an Information Center, taking calls overnight for residents seeking information. Residents can contact the Monrovia Community Center at 256-8246, anytime."

- Brad Haugaard

Distance Learning With Lions

A Monrovia Schools Tweet: Monroe Elementary students have received a stuffed lion (Monroe is the Mighty Lions) to join them in distance learning. Students will do challenges and activities with their lions and document the process. The first task is to name their lion and work with them during distance learning.

- Brad Haugaard

Grand Opening of Monrovia High's Renovated Weight Room

Monrovia School District will celebrate the grand re-opening of the Monrovia High Weight Room with an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the newly renovated Weight Room.

The idea to renovate the Weight Room came from Monrovia High Football Coach Christian Williams, and Monrovia City Council Member Larry Spicer, a Monrovia High School Class of 1973 alum, raised more than $24,000 to support the renovation.

School Board President Rob Hammond said, "Mr. Spicer is an outstanding community leader who is been very supportive of our schools. He specifically enjoys supporting Wildcat athletics."

Other contributors include Athens Disposal, Baja Ranch Market, Bowden Construction, Darrell Brooke Law Firm, Gary Schaeffler, Mountjoy Construction, Gina Willard, Larry Spicer, Marvin Holmes, Paul Kalemkiarian (Wine of the Month Club), Sierra Auto Cars, and Mr. & Mrs. Victor Hoskins.

Source: https://is.gd/w0umRi

- Brad Haugaard

Milo and Luna - House Panthers Who Just Need a Little Patience

Seven-month-old Milo and his sister, Luna (also a sleek house panther), came to Pasadena Humane as strays. At first, they were a little shy, but with some yummy food and play time, they came out of their shells. Now Milo and his sister are having fun exploring their foster home. Milo loves to follow Luna around everywhere and copy everything she does. He also loves playing with toys and being petted! Milo is the purrfect example of a kitty who just needed a little patience to trust people, and he’ll make a wonderful cat for a patient and loving owner. And if you wanted to adopt Luna too, he’d love that!

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cat adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org and fill out an online adoption application. Adoptions are by appointment only.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Fighting in the Hills, Prepping in the Town

The City of Monrovia reports:

"If you haven't seen them already, helicopters and air support are on scene and fighting the fire from the air. In addition, there are many teams of firefighters on the ground working the fire, building fire breaks and making every attempt to fight the fire up in the hills. These crews will continue to work on slowing the progress of fire movement towards the foothill communities.

"Within the City of Monrovia, multiple fire engines are performing work in advance of the fire, should it arrive. This includes pre-treating areas, cleaning hazardous vegetation and improving access points. This is all done to provide additional structure defense in the event the fire reaches Monrovia." https://is.gd/GwXK8k

- Brad Haugaard

Bobcat Fire as Seen by Air Quality

Air quality, according to BreezoMeter. That Monrovia has good air quality indicates the wind must be away from us and toward the fire. The purple-red indicates super bad air quality. Not surprisingly, that’s where the fire is. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Bobcat Fire Moving Slow But Winds Expected This Afternoon

(Photo from yesterday)

Bobcat Fire update from City Manager Dylan Feik:

The fire has continued to burn southward toward Monrovia at a slow rate. Around midnight, the marine layer arrived and helped slow the fire activity. There has been low to no spread since last night and is 10% relative humidity.

For Tuesday, September 8, teams will be working to build dozer lines and prepare for Santa Ana winds forecast to begin at noon thru Wednesday. These winds will be from 10-20 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. The fire is expected to be active today and will become more active once the winds begins this afternoon.

Firefighting crews will be building additional dozer lines around the fire, focusing on the western and southern edges of the fire. Air support had been requested and they expect 4 - 5 helicopters and tankers to be operational today, weather permitting. Crews will also be roving in the community and making advance plans for structural defense in the event it is needed. 

We have been told to plan for the fire to get worse and we are asking all residents to be prepared and ready if an Evacuation Order is issued. Even when we don't see flames on the hill, the Santa Ana winds can change the fire conditions incredibly quickly. We are trying to give as much advance notice as possible and we will provide updates as frequently as we can.

- Brad Haugaard

North Monrovia Prepares for Two-Phase Mandatory Evacuation

A notice from City Manager Dylan Feik:

The Unified Incident Command Team, including the Monrovia Fire Department, United States Forest Service and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, are directing Monrovia residents in the foothill area below the Bobcat Fire to be prepared to evacuate. There continues to be rapid fire growth. Be advised-- this is an Evacuation Warning which means there is potential threat to life and / or property. 

When Incident Command decides to issue an Evacuation Order, residents must leave.

Please make those arrangements or plans to evacuate now in case an Evacuation Order is issued. Delaying planning arrangements may prevent fire crews from suppression activities and compromise the safety of the public and first responders.  

If an Evacuation Order is issued, the City will assist by coordinating the evacuation in two phases. View the evacuation map. 

The First Phase will be all residents residing north of Hillcrest Blvd. and north of Greystone Ave.

The Second Phase will be all residents residing between Hillcrest Blvd. and Greystone Ave., south to Foothill Blvd.

Residents will be notified of the evacuation order by the emergency alert system. Additionally, the Monrovia Police Department and supporting agencies will be notifying residents in the affected neighborhoods ordered to evacuate. The City will continue to provide updated information on the City’s website at www.cityofmonrovia.org/BobcatFire. 

Beginning Tuesday morning, September 8, 2020 at 7 a.m., the City will open the Community Center as an “Information and Cooling Center” where up-to-date information can be found. The number of the Community Center is 626-256-8246.

Residents should make evacuation plans now, including overnight accommodations. Evacuation sites for those displaced are being prepared-- more information will follow should an Evacuation Order be issued.

Those with large animals, horses and cattle, should begin to move those animals now. Do not wait until the Evacuation Order to begin moving them out of the area.  Accommodations are being made for animals at the Pomona Fairgrounds and Santa Anita Racetrack (limited capacity). To find out more information regarding the evacuation centers, please call  1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767).

Those residents who need more time to evacuate, please make arrangements or plans to evacuate now in case an Evacuation Order is issued.

As a reminder, residents following Ready, Set, Go! should have evacuation plans in place, organized their emergency evacuation supplies, and have essential evacuation personal belongings easily accessible. Vehicles should be fully fueled, facing out in their driveways and ready to Go! Visit Ready Set Go! 

- Brad Haugaard

Progress of Bobcat Fire

The Bobcat Fire as of 8 p.m. Sept. 7. If you'd like to follow the progress of the fire, use this link: https://is.gd/1qJHnk

Thanks to Larry Marotta for the link.

- Brad Haugaard

Bobcat Fire at Night

The Bobcat Fire appears to be working its way down the mountains towards White Saddle, although it can also be seen further west. 

- Brad Haugaard