Bobcat Fire Grew Quickly, say Angeles National Forest Fire Officials During Online Townhall Meeting

A helicopter with a Bambi Bucket drops water over the Bobcat Fire in the Big Santa Anita Dam area in the Angeles National Forest just 2 miles north of Arcadia on Monday, September 14, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

The Mormon Lake Hotshots and Santa Fe Hotshots just back from fighting the Bobcat Fire in the Santa Anita Canyon, just 2 miles north of Arcadia on Monday, September 14, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Firefighters stand at a turn-off on the road to Chantry Flats to watch the Bobcat Fire just over Arcadia on Monday, September 14, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

A deer looks for food just below the Bobcat fire in the neighborhood of Arcadia on Monday, September 14, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

The Mormon Lake Hotshots and Santa Fe Hotshots walk back from fighting the Bobcat Fire in the Santa Anita Canyon, just 2 miles north from Arcadia on Monday, September 14, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

The Mormon Lake Hotshots take a moment to pose for a picture just after fighting the Bobcat Fire in the Santa Anita Canyon, just 2 miles north of Arcadia on Monday, September 14, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Firefighters spray water onto the Bobcat fire off the road to Chantry Flats just over Arcadia on Monday, September 14, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

The Santa Anita Canyon hillside is completely burned from the Bobcat fire just 2 miles north of Arcadia on Monday, September 14, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Volunteers from the American Red Cross wait for people from Arcadia and Sierra Madre who have been evacuated from the Bobcat fire, the evacuation center is set up at the Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia on Monday, September 14, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

According to a Zoom “Town Hall” meeting organized by Angeles National Forest and local fire department officials Monday evening, three million acres of forest have burned since the spate of California wildfires began last month, and every national forest in California has a fire.

The public meeting was unexpectedly capped in size, blocking scores of people from participating. ANF apologized and said a recording of the meeting would be published Tuesday.

During the meeting, the officials said there are more fires burning throughout California today than at any time in California’s recorded history. Currently, all 18 national forests in California are closed and will remain closed for at least a week.

The current Bobcat Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains above Duarte, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Altadena and Pasadena, which began under 115º skies on Labor Day weekend, was initially responded to initially by three fire engines and grew to 5,000 acres in 24 hours, said LA County Fire officials.

The fire, which now exceeds 41,000 acres, is only 3% contained and continues to threaten Mt. Wilson Observatory.

Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents the area, told the meeting that the record-breaking fire season has produced some of the largest wildfires the country has ever seen, and that “leaders at every level of government are working together.

“The number one priority,” continued Chu, “is to make sure everyone is informed to keep them safe.”

Chu added that while the past few days have seen water drops, heavy smoke has made it increasingly difficult for air attacks.

Chu also told the meeting she spoke to Senator Nancy Pelosi, and asked for an additional $3.5 billion for disaster relief across the nation.

David Richardson, head of Emergency Operations for LA County Fire, said that the firefighting effort is a “unified effort” with Angeles National Forest and LA County Fire, along with local fire departments and local city governments.

According to a statement from LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents the San Gabriel Valley, the Bobcat Fire poses a continued threat to foothill residents and power lines, and threatens power to Foothill communities) The fire also threatens multiple archeological sites, said Solis, who added that she will ask the LA County Board of Supervisors Tuesday to declare a State of Emergency.

“Climate change is at the heart of devastation,” Solis noted.

While the fire continues to move west and south, burn areas from the devastating Station Fire of 2008, will actually help slow the fire down in some areas, said an LA County Operational Section Chief.

According to Bobcat Fire Incident Commander Jerry McGowan, the 36,366-acre fire has been fought in 45 miles of difficult terrain, and the more than 800 firefighters have established 20 miles of bulldozer line, and 30 miles of hand line, utilizing nine bulldozers, 95 engines, and 16 hand crews.

Captain David Flores of the Temple Sheriff Station also noted that evacuated areas include the East Fork of Angeles National Forest, Hwy 39 and all campgrounds in Crystal Lake, and Angeles Crest Highway above Mile Marker 44. Thirty-two homes in northeast Sierra Madre have also been evacuated.

According to LA County fire officials, the fire speed is rapid in the canyon areas, while progress to the south is slower during the day. Fire officials also said that should the fire move south out of the mountains and canyons, it is very unlikely that the fire could reach the 210 Freeway.

Meanwhile, fire crews hope to build containment lines down from Mt. Wilson and into Santa Anita Canyon to hopefully box in the fire.