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Lunch at Nano Cafe

Lunch at Nano Cafe, on the north side of Duarte Road just east of Mayflower. The restaurant has lots of shaded outdoor seating. Got the Reuben Sandwich with coleslaw for $12.99 and an iced tea for $2.99. Enjoyed it a lot. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Free Flu Shots at Monrovia Church on Oct. 3


First Evangelical Church, Arcadia - which, despite its name, is in Monrovia - will provide free flu shots on Oct. 3. Details: https://is.gd/8UMmTb


- Brad Haugaard

Neighbors Express Thanks to Firefighters, Police

As you might expect, the neighborhoods of North Canyon Blvd, Ridgeside Dr, and Oakglade Dr., all at the very top of Monrovia, are mighty grateful. The residents expressed their gratitude with these signs, collected into a collage by Scott Morgan, who lives on North Canyon. (Thanks Scott!)

- Brad Haugaard

Mopping Up the Fire - You May See Spots of Smoke or Fire - Not to Worry

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that some firefighters are remaining on the scene to perform mop up operations. "Small pockets of fuel remain in the burn area that will periodically burn out. As these areas burn out, we would like to assure residents that crews are nearby monitoring the situation. Residents can expect to see pockets of smoke from Monrovia Canyon Park during the day and possible small flames at night. Again, these flare ups are in the burn areas and are carefully watched. Throughout the week, the fire line above the Clamshell Truck Trail and along the Spanish Canyon ridge will also be patrolled and monitored. 

"Due to the hot spots that remain in the foothills, the Evacuation Warning remains in effect for residents of Monrovia."

- Brad Haugaard

No School - Virtual or Otherwise - For Rest of This Week - Bad Air

School's out for the rest of the week for Monrovia School District. Bad air. Not even virtual learning from home.

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

Fire crews will continue to operate on the ridge above Spanish Canyon to ensure that the fire remains contained in the canyon and there are no spot fires, and there will be crews in Monrovia Canyon Park where there are small pockets of brush that may need extra attention, according to City Manager Dylan Feik.

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

Candle of Hope Event Thursday, 7 p.m.



Planned Power Outages Postponed

Power outages planned for this week have been postponed. City Manager Dylan Feik reports that city staff “has coordinated with Southern California Edison (SCE) and outages planned for Wednesday, September 16, will be postponed to a later date. We will continue to coordinate with SCE to postpone the outages planned for Thursday and Friday.”

- 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 

Monrovia State of the Schools Address Oct. 7

- 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

Monrovia School Board President Rob Hammond reports that last Friday, almost 500 meals were distributed by Flame Broiler and Fellowship Monrovia to families with children in the district.

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

The City of Arcadia is ordering all residents north of Elkins Ave. and east of Santa Anita Ave. to evacuate due to dangerous wildfire conditions. A Red Cross Evacuation Center has been established at Santa Anita Race Track. To follow the Arcadia part of the fire, see this website:  ArcadiaCA.gov/Bobcat

- Brad Haugaard