Fire Updates

1,200 firefighters battle Sheep Fire

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:10:16 -0800

More than 1,200 firefighters are battling the Sheep Fire, which is burning east of Wrightwood in the San Gabriel Mountains. The fire has scorched 7,500 acres and is 20 percent contained.

Our full fire coverage.

Meeting on Sheep Fire held tonight for Wrightwood residents

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:25:37 -0800

The Sheep Fire will be the topic at a meeting tonight at 8 at the Lytle Creek Community Center. The address is 14082 Center Road, Lytle Creek.

You can keep up to date by checking back with us at scpr.org/fire.

You can also follow updates at inciweb.

DC-10 battles Ventura County fire

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:57:57 -0800

A DC-10 dropping fire retardant has joined in the battle against the latest fire in Ventura County, said said Bill Nash of the Ventura County Fire Department.

Evacuations have been ordered in the city of Moorpark for the Meridian Hills neighborhood off of Walnut Canyon Road, and in the unincorporated area of Moorpark, from Balcom Canyon to Happy Camp Road.

Evacuations were also ordered in unincorporated area of Fillmore, in the Bardsdale/Sespe area.

Large animals can be being evacuated to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Small animals can be taken to Animal Regulation Headquarters at the Camarillo Airport.

The cause is not confirmed. Ventury County Fire is carrying out a very active investigation, and they are looking at a number of possible causes.

Southern California wildfire grows to 6,000 acres

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:47:35 -0800

A wildfire burning near the Southern California city of Moorpark has grown to 6,000 acres as hot and dry Santa Ana winds sweep the region. Read more here, and keep up with the latest on our fire page.

Memorial service for fallen firefighters at Dodger Stadium

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:42:48 -0800

There will be a Memorial Service for Los Angeles County Fire Department Firefighters, Fire Captain Tedmund “Ted” Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo “Arnie” Quinones, Saturday, September 12, 2009, 10:00 a.m., at Dodger Stadium.

Visit http://fire.lacounty.gov/ for complete information.

On Thursday, formations of various types of fire fighting aircraft could be seen flying over Downtown Los Angeles and Dodger Stadium in apparent preparation for Saturday's event.

KPCC will be covering the memorial with a reporter on site. KPCC.org will hopefully stream live video of the service. Be sure to check the website around 10:00am for the "HAPPENING NOW" link at the top of the homepage.

Firefighter video of the Station Fire

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:30:36 -0800

This 6 minute video was given to KPCC's Steve Julian, courtesy of a Monrovia city firefighter. The video is shot at the entrance to Big Tujunga Canyon. As fire creeps closer to structures, you can hear their concerns of laying out hose lines over fears that electrical wires above crews might collapse.

Many thanks to the Monrovia City Fire Department for sharing this inside look into fire fighting.

Firefighter photos of the Station Fire

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:38:49 -0800

Amazing photos shot by firefighters with Engine 101 from the Monrovia Fire Department as they battle the flames and experience the Station Fire near the entrance to Big Tujunga Canyon and in the foothills near La Crescenta. These pictures were given to KPCC's Steve Julian, courtesy of a Monrovia city firefighter.

Planned burning operations cancelled

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:10:31 -0800

Due to a flare-up on the Station Fire's northeast end deep in the Angeles National Forest planned burning operations near the Cogswell Dam Area were canceled. Though not as large as earlier flare-ups, air support was diverted to the area forcing firefighters to cancel a planned backfire operation east of Mount Wilson. KPCC's Kari Moran spoke with Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Mark Whaling about the latest developments.

Listen:

Planned Burning Operations Near the Cogswell Dam Area

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:18:11 -0800

Residents of the Los Angeles area and San Gabriel Valley may see an appreciable amount of smoke, and possibly some fire, over the next 24-36 hrs. in the Mt. Wilson and Cogswell Dam areas, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

View Larger Map

"As part of their aggressive attack on the fire, crews may be burning vegetation ahead of the fire to establish a firm control line around the fire's perimeter. The specific area considered for these operations is an east-west line extending from the East of Mt. Wilson to the western end of the Cogswell Reservoir."

"Public safety and protection of property are top priorities. The potential burning will only be considered during favorable weather to minimize fire spread. As such, crews will wait for optimal conditions during the next 24-36 hours. Nighttime burns are possible. Firefighters will be constantly assessing the burn operations. If conducted, this operation will occur at a safe distance from homes and structures. No evacuations are necessary or anticipated. Residents should not be overly concerned, as the smoke and fire are part of the planned control activities. The understanding and cooperation of the surrounding communities are appreciated."

View from the Mt Wilson Observatory

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 09:21:50 -0800

Thanks to Susan Valot who was up late Saturday night and pulled this image off the UCLA Department of Physics and Astronomy webcam on Mt Wilson at about 12:44am Sunday morning. Pretty cool shot with the moon shining on the observatory and the fire in the distance.

Today's Station Fire map

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:28:53 -0800

From KPCC's Susan Valot:

"The black lines are where they have containment. The red lines are where the fire is burning uncontrolled. The bunched-up X's near some neighborhoods are where bulldozers have created lines just in case the fire makes it that far."

Click here to view a larger version of the map.

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner speaks with Patt Morrison

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:14:23 -0800

State insurance commissioner Steve Poizner spoke with KPCC's Patt Morrison to warn of insurance scams in the wake of the recent wildfires. He explained that insurance scam artists wait for situations that put people in distress and prey on these people in the aftermath of disaster.

Poizner recommended that, if someone comes to your door, you should ask to see their license. If you write down the license number and address, you can call the state insurance department and find out if they really are licensed. Poizner also recommended that you should ask for references, as well as getting at least three quotes for their services.

He also explained steps that can be taken to prepare. He said everyone should call their insurance company to update their insurance, and that everyone should update their insurance at least once a year. Poizner also encouraged everyone to keep an inventory of all of your assets with a digital camera or video camera, and keep a copy off the site of your property.

You can call 1-800-927-HELP or visit the State Insurance Department online at insurance.ca.gov.

Station Fire evacuation orders lifted

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:16:48 -0800

Except for 11 homes scattered in the Little Tujunga area above Pacoima, all residential evacuations ordered for the Station Fire have been lifted. Fire officials warning people to keep an eye on developments and to have a plan to leave in case conditions change.

The Station Fire is 38 percent contained, having burned 144,743 acres.

Pasadena Community Meeting Tonight

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:57:31 -0800

The Station Fire Unified Command will be hosting a community meeting in the town of Pasadena tonight for the purpose of updating the public on the current fire situation and expected actions.

First Church of the Nazarene
3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, California 91107

7:00 PM

Glendale & La Canada schools open Thursday

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:46:57 -0800

All schools in the Glendale District will open tomorrow, Thursday, September 3, 2009.

All La Canada USD schools have opened as of Wednesday, September 2; however all outdoor activities of any kind at the schools will be suspended.

Pasadena USD schools are not in session (school opens September 10), all athletic activities have been suspended.

Following Engine #111

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:53:43 -0800

Today’s 6am briefing at the Station Fire command post at Hansen Dam laid out the fire’s steady, destructive march in spite of high humidity and low winds during the night. I left soon after the briefing and before Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived for a briefing and press conference.

On this day, many of the firefighters who’d seen action in La Cañada a few days before were assigned to do contingency work, or recon, that is, the prep work in case the fire ends up somersaulting over the San Gabriel mountaintops and starts wreaking havoc in the densely populated Altadena and Sierra Madre areas. Thousands of feet of fire hose needed to be laid down along trails and more brush needed clearing.

About 10 fire trucks did this work at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Loma Alta Drive, the top-most part of Altadena, elevation 1,800 feet. That’s where I met 20-year U.S. Forest Service engine Captain Bruce Steinberg. He drives engine #111. A female crewmember pointed to Bruce as the de-facto historian of this site. The Cobb Estate, Bruce tells me, used to be owned by the Marx Brothers and the Mt. Lowe Railway nearby used to ferry sightseers to the mountain’s summit a century ago.

This area’s burned plenty since then. That’s what some residents about 2 miles away told me. Mary Sorensen’s lived in the area for nearly 40 years. In 1993 the 200-foot hill across her home burned and turned some homes above her into ash. She used a garden hose to protect her house. Strong winds threw the water back on her face. To keep up on the Station Fire she’s reading some Altadena web sites, watching TV, and pokes her head out her window every so often to see the smoke coming up from behind the San Gabriel Mountains.

She’s a bit distressed and has her important documents ready to go but she’s not in panic mode yet, as she points to the top of the hill where a U.S. Forest Service fire truck sits parked. They’re the lookouts, she tells me, keeping an eye out for flare ups and hot spots. What street is that truck on, I ask. Zane Grey Terrace, she says.

After a windy climb, I find the truck at the end of the street. It’s Engine #111! Bruce Steinberg and his buddies are finishing lunch, taking it easy, under a bush that has tree aspirations. They say the 1993 fire was nasty. There are a couple of white crosses on a trail just north of here, Bruce tells me, in memory of the two firefighters who died trying to put out the flames.

Just then a breeze picks up. I ask if that’s bad news. No, Bruce says as he picks up a handful of dry leaves and they drop toward the mountain. The wind’s blowing north today and for now, that’ll keep the fire far away.

Fire updates meeting to be held in Wrightwood

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:31:28 -0800

Officials will hold a meeting tonight at 7 about the fire and community preparedness in Wrightwood.

The meeting will include udpates on the Station Fire, which has charred more than 140,000 acres of Angeles National Forest and destroyed more than 60 structures. Two Los Angeles County firefighters have died.

First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt will host the meeting and he will be joined by San Bernardino and LA County officials, as well as the incident command team from the Station Fire.

"Based on our observations from the air today, we feel comfortable that San Bernardino County mountain communities, including Wrightwood, are not in imminent danger," said Mitzelfelt. "However, we will remain vigilant while encouraging residents to prepare.

"We feel confident that there is no immediate threat to Wrightwood due to the numerous canyons and mountains between the Station Fire and Wrightwood, including several areas that have burned recently and would serve as fuel breaks," said San Bernardino County Chief Pat A. Dennen. "Nevertheless, residents will likely continue to experience heavy smoke and ash, which serves as a reminder to always be prepared."

County Fire personnel will continue to monitor the progress of the Station Fire from the air as well as from the incident’s command post. Weather changes could still affect the fire’s behavior, which can be unpredictable.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today visited San Bernardino County and proclaimed a state of emergency due to fires burning in the region. San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Ovitt also signed an emergency proclamation today in response to fires in the County. The County proclamation will be ratified by Supervisors at an emergency meeting to be held Tuesday.

The meeting will be held at Wrightwood Elementary School, athletic field, 1175 State Highway 2.

Edison to give fire victims break on electricity

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:24:15 -0800

Southern California Edison customers whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the recent wildfires won't have to pay for electricity used since the last bill they received at those damaged residences, according to the utility.

SCE is also offering payment arrangements for those who were indirectly affected by the fires, such as customers who lost business income.

SCE customers who qualify for bill forgiveness can call SCE toll-free at (800) 250-7339. Other customers who need bill payment arrangements should call (800) 950-2356.

$108 million spent on firefighting so far this fiscal year

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:45:02 -0800

California finance department spokesman HD Palmer told KPCC's Larry Mantle that there's enough money in the budget to cover the $108 million spent on emergency firefighting costs so far this fiscal year. Palmer said that Governor Schwarzenegger more than doubled the amount of emergency firefighting money in this year's budget.

He added, "We’re pleased that we’ve been able to do that in this fiscal environment, but obviously with just eight weeks into the fiscal year we’ve already literally and figuratively burned through a good chunk of that." If the federal government declares the Station Fire or other local fires as emergency areas, they will reimburse California 75 percent of the firefighting costs, but Palmer says that it will take time to recoup that money.

Conan O'Brien jokes about Station Fire, KPCC's transmitter

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:50:04 -0800

During his Tonight Show monologue Tuesday night, Conan O'Brien poked fun at the Station Fire threatening KPCC's transmitter. Listen here:

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