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Bobcat Fire Grows to 33,312 Acres, Continues Moving Westward Towards Pasadena

Evacuations ordered in Arcadia and Sierra Madre

Published on Monday, September 14, 2020 | 4:37 am
 
A firefighter stands on his truck to watch closely as the Bobcat Fire burns southward towards Monrovia on Sunday afternoon, September 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Nearly 900 firefighters backed up by nine water- and retardant-dropping aircraft battled the 33,312-acre Bobcat Fire Monday, working to protect communities in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, including Arcadia and Sierra Madre where some residents were evacuated as flames burned downhill closer to their homes.

With the fire only 6% contained, residents of Pasadena were advised to be ready to evacuate if flames spread their way.

“While there is no immediate threat, conditions could change rapidly, so STAY READY! Have a plan in place (including for any animals you have) and pack supplies ahead of time in case you need to evacuate,” a statement from Pasadena cautioned.

Fire officials scheduled a virtual public meeting via Zoom for 6:30 p.m. Monday to provide updates and answer residents’ questions so they don’t have to risk COVID-19 exposure in a large gathering. It is at http://usfs.zoomgov.com/J/1609926478.

High flames from the Bobcat fire are seen just behind homes on Elkins Ave in North Arcadia, a mandatory fire evacuation has been ordered for the residents of Arcadia on Sunday, September 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

The blaze has burned southward downhill toward Monrovia, eastward towards Arcadia and north toward State Route 2 in the Buckhorn Area, with “significant” western growth toward Mt. Wilson, Angeles National Forest officials reported.

888 firefighters were working to stop the blaze aided by five helicopters and four fixed-wing aircraft, 78 engines, eight bulldozers and five water tenders.

Video released by the forest service showed the Angeles National Forest’s Bell Super 205A1++ helicopter performing nighttime water drops on the fire. Additionally, firefighters were setting strategic fires to help clear vegetation on the southern end of the blaze in the Santa Anita Canyon area near Chantry Flat, officials said.

The abnormally dry vegetation has been fueling the blaze, leading to extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of spread.

A Pasadena official said indirect dozer lines continued to be constructed to keep the fire away from Mount Wilson and to herd it into the Station Fire scar, which would act to significantly reduce fire behavior. The Bobcat Fire has mainly been driven by steep terrain and dry fuels, some of which have not seen fire activity in at least 60 years. (For more details, visit InciWeb).

An evacuation order was also issued for Camp Williams, a resort in the San Gabriel Mountains in Azusa.

Sierra Madre police said a total of 32 homes were affected by the evacuation order in that city.

Arcadia police assisted with evacuations in that city. The city of Arcadia tweeted to residents that multiple strike teams of firefighters were positioned through the north end of the city and will continuously patrol and watch the wildland-urban interface. Officials said the Arcadia Police Department is providing security in the evacuated areas.

A Red Cross evacuation center was established at Santa Anita Race Track at 285 W. Huntington Drive. Residents were advised to enter through Gate 5. More information about the center was available at 1-800-RED-CROSS (733- 2767).

Angeles Crest Highway 2 was closed from Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road to Big Pines, Highway 39 was closed at Old San Gabriel Canyon Road, and Glendora Ridge Road, Glendora Mountain Road, and Mount Wilson Road were closed as well.

A smoke advisory was extended through Monday for Pasadena as the fire spews smoke and ash into the atmosphere, creating unhealthy conditions.

Pasadena City College announced its campus will be closed because of the poor air quality and Pasadena Unified said its Pasadena LEARNs supervised care programs are canceled on Monday, September 14.  See health and safety tips.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said she has signed a proclamation declaring a local emergency in the county because of the fire and requested a state proclamation. The proclamation will be subject to a ratification vote at the Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Tuesday

Pasadena officials urged residents to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, while officials from multiple foothill communities reminded residents that it is illegal to fly drones over the fire area.

The Pasadena Humane Society said animal control workers would be stationed at the Red Cross evacuation zone to assist with the transport of displaced pets back to the Pasadena Humane shelter.

The Bobcat Fire erupted on Sept. 6 near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area. The cause remained under investigation.

Full containment of the fire, which will be achieved by way of cleared vegetation, was not estimated until Oct. 30, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Officials had earlier estimated full containment by Oct. 15 but revised that date on Sunday.

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