Take a shower, run your sprinklers, wash your clothes. The need for water conservation for fire fighting is over, according to City Manager Dylan Feik.
However, he added, "flares may occur as the hills are still smoking and embers could ignite residual fires. Call 9-1-1 if you see a new fire ignite."
"The evacuation warning remains in effect and residents should remain prepared for evacuation if unexpected weather and fire conditions require."
- Brad Haugaard
City Manager Dylan Feik reports that firefighters kept the structures in Canyon Park undamaged even if the brush around the buildings is burned out.
He added: "When the Incident Command Team was discussing fire engagement strategies, the City of Monrovia made it clear that Monrovia Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve are community gems and should be protected. We cannot express enough our deep appreciation to the many agencies and crews who fought tirelessly to preserve our Park. Though work is not complete and fire remains in the City, it is a comfort to see progress has been made, fire lines are being held and resources are focusing on the fire area near the Santa Anita Wash in Arcadia. Please remember, conditions may change and fire can always change direction."
- Brad Haugaard
A letter from the district says, "We are so grateful for their generosity, as well as the generosity of Fellowship Monrovia. When we were forced to close our doors, they opened theirs."
The letter adds that, "Tomorrow and Wednesday we will distribute two and three days worth of grab-and-go meals from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Plymouth Elementary School and Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School."
Also, Sept. 14-18, any order at Flame Broiler will be half off for MUSD families, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. at the Monrovia location: 446 W. Huntington Dr. #436. Phone orders will be accepted: (626) 358-8318. Use the code word "hope."
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
- Canyon Park facilities (ranger station, cabins, and the Nature Center) are still standing. Trask Boy Scout Camp is also still standing.
- The fire has pushed into the Santa Anita Wash. It is now positioned in a drainage area below Chantry Flats and presents a threat to not only Monrovia, but to Arcadia and Sierra Madre.
- Today's priorities on the south end of the fire are to prepare defensive lines near the Santa Anita Wash and maintain and reinforce the southern edge in Monrovia, including Canyon Park. This line is holding well, including throughout the night, and Incident Command is maintaining those lines.
- Lower Clamshell Trail served as a fire break and access road for hot shot crews working on those portions of fire. The fire never reached the trail – which was graded – but burn spots did come very close and portions of the Hillside Wilderness Preserve did burn.
- The city decided 5 or 6 homes at the top of Cloverleaf Drive needed to be evacuated, but when city officials attempted to contact the people, they found the residents had already left.
- Please continue to conserve water, avoid driving or visiting areas near the active fires or damaged areas, and don't fly drones in the area - it is illegal.
- Brad Haugaard
Also, he thanked Monrovians for saving water. "Throughout the day, from the time we issued the Emergency Alert to conserve water, Emerson and Canyon water tanks never dropped below 90% capacity….what a miracle! Your efforts helped us ensure that water quantity, supply and pressure never became an issue for our firefighters."
- Brad Haugaard
So far the battles to save Camp Trask and Canyon Park have been mostly successful, though the fire has burned around the water falls in the park. Here's what City Manager Dylan Feik had to say:
Last night, two additional City strike teams went up to Trask Boy Scout Camp to assist in the firefighting efforts. The fire approached the Camp through the drainage area below the Camp and so they focused on protecting and preserving Trask. Fire tactics used to combat the fire range from control burning to water suppression. Even before this fire, Trask suffered from water system problems and the firefighters had to rig the pool for additional water supply use to engage the fire. Trask is still there and firefighters thus far have been successful.
The fire also finally entered Canyon Park and has burned areas including Monrovia Falls. Firefighters are working hard to keep it on the north side of Sam The Damkeeper’s House and also north of the Nature Center.
The Incident Command Team continues to make contingency plans for the neighborhoods in the far northern reaches of Monrovia (think Briarcliff, Ridgeside, N. Canyon, and Oakglade). The fire has a chance of getting close to Lower Clamshell Trail, possibly homes in the area. But there is also a chance the fire does not. As the Team assesses the fire, conditions and terrain, strike teams, fire engines and even police officers are making contingency plans in case it does get close. They are speaking with residents, discussing possible control burning operations as pictured on the map below [I put it above - Brad] (which many of us know are a tool to “fight fire with fire”) and have staged hoses and fire engines for fire suppression. Please remember, the fire continues to be slow moving but it is, in fact, moving. As of 3:40 p.m., there remains consensus that an Evacuation Warning remains. If residents are concerned or feel the fire is too close, please consider leaving.
- Brad Haugaard
"Your efforts to conserve water are working...Thank You! Please continue helping in this effort. As of 2:30 p.m., the Emerson and Canyon Water Tanks are both at 90% capacity because of your direct efforts. Keep up the excellent work, advocate for water conservation, and we’ll keep pumping it up there! Continue to keep conserving and as a reminder, you can help conserve water by doing the following:
"Please do NOT water your lawns, rooftops, or homes. This is not a wind-driven event and embers are not blowing downwind.
"Conserve water. If residents conserve, we can replenish the tanks faster than without conservation.
"Water movement. The City has planned ahead by designing our water system, a combination of many water storage tanks, pumps and pipe, to move water around where it is needed, including from the water plant up above Canyon Park! Some of you may notice a reduction in water pressure or even, possibly, water quality as we pump across town. This is normal and ok but please just be aware.
"If an Evacuation Order is issued or if you leave your home, please DO NOT leave your irrigation systems."
- Brad Haugaard
Our academics standards and rigor have never been higher. 96% of MHS graduates are pursuing post secondary education. Monrovia student’s admissions to 4 year universities are at an all time high partially due to our Early College Program that allows students to earn up to 2 years of college credit while in high school. This saves both time and money. Lots of money! At the same time our career Pathways programs and Career Technical Education focuses on the kids that want to go straight into the workplace. These programs create career opportunities, not just jobs.
I believe the Arts are an integral part of a student’s education. We have art programs in all of the elementary schools in addition to creating the Wildrose School of Creative Arts. At the high school we have the Humanities Academy, Theater Arts Conservatory plus our drama dept which has won nationally recognized Herman awards for their productions.
Our Athletic program is in a league of its own. We have won CIF championships in football, baseball and soccer and countless league titles in all sports. This level of dominance raises our profile for college recruiters that result in numerous scholarships for our students. We are known to provide excellence on the field and in the class room.
Our past is strong but we are preparing for the future with our Dual Immersion programs, Santa Fe Computer Magnet School, upgraded internet backbone and moving to a 1:1 computer to student ratio.
We have a historic opportunity to eliminate barriers that exist to impede diversity, equity and inclusion. But we also need to deal with the very real educational challenges from the Covid-19 virus and financial devastation that it brought. Hard decisions will need to be made in the coming year. Board members need a deep understanding of each program that Monrovia offers and the related finances.
Experienced Board members have never been more important than they are today. Follow me on Facebook at Bryan Wong For Monrovia Unified School District. Please support me with your vote on November 3rd.
- Brad Haugaard
The call came in as Private Caller, so I do not have the telephone number. The gentleman said he is a Public Adjuster with the AQMD. According to him there will be an Adjuster in our neighborhood to check homes for air quality. I asked for a number in order to confirm that this was not a scam. He wanted to explain it to me, but the more he talked the more I felt, and I told him so, that this was a scam. I called Monrovia Police who told me they can check the air quality outside and not to let anyone in their homes.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
At its next meeting the City Council (agenda: https://is.gd/2bSDmy) will consider adopting rules to bring city regulations into line with state laws regarding ADUs and JADUs.
ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are essentially granny flats, and JADUs (Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) are smaller living units ranging in size from 220 to 500 square feet that are created by converting living space within an existing single family home.
The city is very limited in the type of restrictions it can put on such dwellings. Public hearings are not allowed, no minimum lot size can be required, no open space requirements, etc.
For example, if a garage is converted into a dwelling the city cannot require replacement parking. Nor can parking be required "if the ADU is within a half mile walking distance of public transit, within an historic district, created through the conversion of part of the primary residence or an accessory structure, in an area where permit parking is not offered to ADU occupants, or if it is within one block of a car share program."
The full staff report is here: https://is.gd/yqZ9Ve
- Brad Haugaard
This map shows the risk from wildfire to buildings in North Monrovia. The scale is from red (high risk) down to blue (low risk). The red circles are the Bobcat Fire. No real surprise here but interesting. Here's the source: https://is.gd/5crvNW
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
The fire is now about .6 of a mile from the Trask Boy Scout Camp and about 1.3 miles north of Canyon Park.
When air visibility allows, air support will be provided. Otherwise, firefighting efforts will be on the ground.
If you have questions regarding the Bobcat Fire, you can call 256-8246 if you can't find the information you need on the city’s website.
Monrovia Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will remain closed until further notice and because of bad air the Friday Night Street Fair is cancelled tonight.
Source: https://is.gd/j4Npxs
- Brad Haugaard
