Wind Advisory, County Red Flag Warning Halt Devil’s Gate Sediment Hauling Operations Again

With a series of Santa Ana wind events expected over most of Los Angeles County from early Monday through Wednesday, and Red Flag and Fire Weather Warnings being raised across the area, the County’s Department of Public Works will temporarily halt hauling operations from the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration Project in Pasadena on Monday, October 28.

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory which is in effect through 2 p.m. on Monday. About the same time, a Red Flag Warning was also issued for Los Angeles County in effect from 10 p.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday.

The Service said “very rapid fire spread, long-range spotting, and extreme fire behavior will be possible” during this period.

Any temporary halt to hauling operations at the Devil’s Gate project is likely to be welcome news to Pasadena residents, as well as those in surrounding areas including La Canada Flintridge and Altadena, whose boundaries are around the reservoir area. Residents have been complaining of increased dust pollution and lower air quality since hauling operations started in late 2018.

The L.A. County Public Works Department said it is planning to resume sediment hauling operations on Tuesday, October 29.

The hauling operations are part of a four-year effort to increase flood protection for communities downstream of Devil’s Gate Dam and to restore habitat within a popular section of the Arroyo Seco watershed.

Under the project, contractors will remove 1.7 million cubic yards of sediment from the reservoir immediately behind the nearly 100-year-old dam which is located in Pasadena.

In addition to providing flood relief, the project will establish a permanent stormwater maintenance area, allowing for the creation of an estimated 70 acres of enhanced habitat and recreational opportunities for local communities.

For more about the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration Project, visit www.pw.lacounty.gov/swe/devilsgate/about.shtml.