"Due to the hot spots that remain in the foothills, the Evacuation Warning remains in effect for residents of Monrovia."
- Brad Haugaard
Mopping Up the Fire - You May See Spots of Smoke or Fire - Not to Worry
No School - Virtual or Otherwise - For Rest of This Week - Bad Air
School Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian wrote to parents that, "Given the perilous air quality, we are dismissing students from school through the end of this week. We understand the burden placed upon families during these continued crises and hope that this offers some level of relief.
"To support the health and well-being of our staff members during this time of crisis, we are closing all our facilities through Friday, Sept. 18, and asking all staff members to stay home. Unfortunately, that means that we will not be distributing meals on Friday, as originally scheduled. We apologize for this disruption in service."
Why no distance learning?
School Board President Rob Hammond writes that, " It is the environment the students are learning in. If a classroom were full of smoke and unhealthy to breath in we would not want a student in that environment. Now the student's home is their classroom. If the air is not healthy it can cause many disruptions to learning. Frequent headaches, watery eyes, and a host of respiratory problems all contribute a less than desirable environment whether it is virtual (at home) or on campus. Student safety and welfare will always be our guiding principle.
- Brad Haugaard
Fire Crews Monitoring Hills, City Declares Smoke a Threat
He added, "We do not predict a large amount of fire activities in Monrovia today, however residents may see smoke coming from Monrovia Canyon Park and Spanish Canyon as crews mop up the area."
Also, Monrovia has declared smoke as a dangerous threat, especially for those with preexisting conditions such as chronic heart and lung disease (i.e. asthma, emphysema and COPD).
The city has attempted to purchase air purifiers to loan out to vulnerable people, but they are out of stock and the city has been unable to acquire them. Feik said, "We encourage those who have air conditioning to turn them on and keep windows closed. It is also recommended, for the most vulnerable population, to wear masks indoors."
- Brad Haugaard
Planned Power Outages Postponed
- Brad Haugaard
Spanish Canyon Controlled Burn Should End Tonight
Forest Service photo.
Angeles National Forest posted this on Facebook:
The strategic firing operation from Trask Camp to Spanish Canyon is almost complete. Crews will finish the operation by this evening. This will reinforce an existing handline further protecting the foothill communities.
- Brad Haugaard
Spanish Canyon Controlled-Burn Working Well; Bad Liars
I'm guessing, but I'd say those green lines are fire breaks.
City Manager Dylan Feik reports that much of the action today is in saving Mt. Wilson, but in Monrovia, he said, fire crews will continue to control-burn Spanish Canyon. "The team made great progress last night and they will continue in their efforts today," he said.
Feik added that you'll notice an increase in smoke, and if you live around Norumbega you'll see a heavy presence of fire crews there to support the Spanish Canyon operation.
Feik said that at the "Resident Only" roadblock, drivers are being stopped and asked where they live. "I live right there on that corner," was the most common response," one officer said. When the officer asked the name of the street, people just turned around and left.
- Brad Haugaard
Fire Advances to South
These two screenshots were taken yesterday (Sept. 14), and today (Sept. 15). They show how the fire has advanced to the south towards Norumbega and Bradbury, the result of the controlled burn in Spanish Canyon.- Brad Haugaard
Fire Moving South; Firefighters Aim to Protect Communities
The Bobcat Fire is coming down Spanish Canyon.
From City Manager Dylan Feik: "With the fire slowly burning down Spanish Canyon towards the Monrovia Canyon Park, the priority will remain to protect the communities south of the fire by continuing strategic firing operations and utilizing fixed wing aircraft. The Spanish Canyon area is thick with heavy brush, tall trees and is located in an area where burning is visible. To combat the fire, dozer lines and retardant were put into place and strike teams are assigned to the ridge line to monitor the fire as it slowly burns downhill. As fire crews are working at the very top of the Spanish Canyon, residents will see an increase in flames, smoke and fire activities.
- Brad Haugaard
Sally: First Place In Loving and Sweet Category
Sally has been described by her foster parent as one of the most loving and sweet dogs you will ever meet. This two-year-old dog is young and likes to play with toys, but most of the time she's very calm and just wants to snuggle up with her head in your lap. She's very well-behaved, does great on walks and in the car, and is even great with kids. Sally has been a wonderful companion and work-from-home buddy for her foster parent during quarantine, and is ready to bring that same energy to a forever home!
The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All dog 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 make an appointment for a virtual adoption consultation. 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
Bobcat Slowly Coming Down Spanish Canyon
The fire is slowly coming down Spanish Canyon, underlined in red here. Spanish Canyon empties into the Sawpit Debris Basin at the gate to Canyon Park.
City Manager Dylan Feik Reports:
Along the eastern edge of the Bobcat Fire, there is an active fire pushing up and over the ridgeline near the northeastern corner of Spanish Canyon. As the fire begins to burn, it will back down the canyon in a slow-backing position, similar to what was seen in Monrovia Canyon Park earlier this week. The fire is moving from the eastern ridge of Spanish Canyon and down into the canyon towards the helipad.
Throughout the day, the Incident Command Team has made the decision to bring in extra aircraft to combat the fire and lay fire retardant along dozer lines surrounding Spanish Canyon. In addition to the aircraft, residents of Monrovia, Duarte and Bradbury will see an increase in smoke, flames and firefighting activities during this time. Please know, the fire is beginning at a point high up the mountain but will be backing downward slowly and in a controlled manner. As we move into the evening, the fire will get closer to the foothill communities.
- Brad Haugaard
You Can Water Your Lawns Now!
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.But... he adds, “We will continue keeping an eye on water supply, quantity and pressure as well.”
- Brad Haugaard
'Great News,' Firefighters Now Cleaning Up Spot Fires, Checking for Flare-Ups
City Manager Dylan Feik shared the "great news" that "firefighters are working in the hills to clean up fires, suppress any remaining flames and watch for flares and startups until the hot areas begin to cool."
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
Canyon Park and Camp Trask - Brush Burned But Buildings Safe
Meeting Room in Canyon Park.
Road to top of park, and right fork to Camp Trask.
Top of the park.
Camp Trask.
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
Flame Broiler and Fellowship Monrovia Provide Free Meals for Monrovia Schools Families
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
North Arcadia Ordered Evacuated
- Brad Haugaard
Canyon Park and Trask Still Standing; Defensive Lines Hold; Fire Moves West; Keep Conserving Water
City Manager Dylan Feik reports ...
- 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
Use a Drone, Get Arrested; Water Conservation Worked
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
Bobcat Fire Reaches Chantry Flat Above Arcadia
- Brad Haugaard
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