Bobcat Fire Grows 10% Overnight to More Than 26,000 Acres

The Bobcat Fire that has been burning through the Angeles National Forest north of the San Gabriel Valley since Sunday saw only modest growth overnight, expanding by about 10 % to 26,368 acres, authorities said Friday.

No formal evacuation orders had been issued for the seven foothill communities that had been warned to be ready for potential evacuations, officials said. They included the northern ends of Pasadena, Altadena, Arcadia, Bradbury, Monrovia, Sierra Madre and Duarte. Firefighters had established 6% containment at the fire’s easter perimeter.

The fire’s footprint expanded by just under 2,500 acres overnight, from 23,890 acres on Thursday night to 26,368 acres — or 41 square miles — as of Friday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

An evacuation center set up at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Tuesday by the Red Cross was closed on Thursday night, the agency said in a statement issued via social media. “We will continue to provide virtual assistance to anyone in need & remain on standby in case fire conditions change,” the statement said.

But officials continued keeping their eyes glued to the fire, as well as the weather forecasts, in case the winds shifted toward the south and pushed the flames toward homes.

Winds continued to blow to the northeast on Friday, the U.S. Forest Service said in a written statement. The main focus remained creating barriers at the south end of the Bobcat Fire to prevent it from moving into the foothill communities.

“Throughout the day, heavy fire activity will continue to be seen on the south end,” the statement said. “More fire activity is expected in the north side of the fire where crews will work to contain it at Angeles Crest Highway.”

“The northern portion of the fire has reached up into ridges near Angeles Crest Highway where retardant drops have been made. Steep terrain and dry fuels, some of which haven’t burned in the last 60 years, will create challenges for crews,” according to the statement. “Fire crews will continue working on opening dozer lines and utilizing the road system to slow progression of the fire. Local fire departments will continue to conduct structure protection planning and triage efforts within the foothill communities.”

Winds were expected to blow toward the south early in the day, but then resume heading north later in the day and into the evening, officials said.

The Pasadena Fire Department has joined the fight against the Bobcat Fire, sending a captain and a firefighter-engineer along with a “water tender” truck to help in the effort on Thursday night, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. They joined a Pasadena Fire Department Battalion Chief who has been leading a multi-agency strike team assigned to protect homes in Monrovia since Monday.

In Monrovia, where flames could be seen peeking over the foothills Thursday night, neighborhoods became clogged with people coming into the area to try to get a view of the wildfire, city officials said.

“There has been an increase in traffic as people are attempting to watch the fire, take pictures and observe firefighting operations. This is creating a hazard for firefighting personnel who are currently monitoring the area, especially near Canyon Park,” according to a statement issued by the city. “It is also adding stress to neighbors/residents who are already stressed.”

In response, “…we had to pivot this evening when reports of vehicles blocking traffic in residential neighborhoods created public safety concerns, roadblocks, and even delayed fire engines from reaching intended destination,” the statement said. “Roadblocks have been established throughout planned evacuation routes and extra police patrols are roving neighborhoods, moving non-residents and traffic.”

Monrovia Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve were closed until further notice as the flames crept closer, Monrovia city officials said Friday.

“As of this morning, the fire traveled to about 0.6 miles from the Trask Boy Scout Camp, which is about 0.7 miles north of the City limits near the Nature Center,” according to a city statement.

“The fire continues to move down the hill and while it moves closer to the City boundary, we want to ensure our residents the fire is being closely [monitored], the statement said..

Thick smoke in the air was preventing aircraft from working in the area, officials said.

“Firefighting resources are focused on this area and when air visibility allows, air support will be provided,” the statement said. “Otherwise, firefighting efforts on the ground will continue.”

Authorities in Duarte, at the fire’s southeastern flank, were cautiously optimistic in the appraisal of the fire’s threat to their community on Friday, with “heavy dozer lines” created between the Bobcat Fire and foothill homes, Duarte city officials said in a written statement.

“Fire is moving at a slow pace and is approximately 2 miles or more away from Duarte structures,” according to the statement. “As long as weather conditions remain the same, Fire Forecasters are predicting it to take days for the fire to reach critical areas of Duarte homes.”

But the danger had not passed, officials said.

“Although the fire may be slow moving right now, Duarte remains in an evacuation warning. Changes in wind or weather could alter the situation at a moment’s notice,” the statement said. 

A total of 540 fire personnel were assigned to the Bobcat Fire on Friday.

The cause of the fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon near Cogswell reservoir, was yet to be determined.