Hollywood Sign Expected to Read 'Save the Peak' on Thursday
Hugo's Introduces Vegan Mac & Cheese
![_Bye, Bye Hollywood Sign... at Least Temporarily [Updated]](http://laist.com/assets_c/2009/12/view_behind_hwdsign-thumb-110x110-464762.jpg)
Bye, Bye Hollywood Sign... at Least Temporarily [Updated]
Palin Calls Global Warming a 'Bunch of Snake Oil Science'
Photos: Here's to the Bookworms!
Officials with the U.S. Forest Service are "convinced" the Station Fire was human-caused, but are not precisely sure how, reports KNX1070 on air. Basically, they know it was not caused by lightning--it could have been arson, a spark from equipment, a cigarette butt or any other possibility on a long list that investigators will narrow down. The fire began around mile marker 29 on the Angeles Crest Highway, where a car turnout is located. The blaze has burned through 140,150 acres, or 219 square miles, with 22 percent containment as of 10 a.m. Over 4,000 fire personnel have responded and 62 homes have been destroyed. A lot of progress has been made in handling the fire, but the southeastern flank above Altadena and Pasadena remains a concern for officials, who are considering more evacuations for the area. [Update: Official retract this, more here]
Station Fire Reportedly Human-Caused [Updated]
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebookComments (5) [rss]
Post a comment (Comment Policy)
Tips
Contribute
Latest Tip:
There is a bomb threat at CSUN right now, with emergency personnel responding.
[more]
I blame the Forestry Dept's poor response and tactics. FAIL
Mr. Nonymous and I had been talking about the surprising lack of information about cause. This is the first thing I've seen on the subject--I haven't even seen speculation.
@db, could you elaborate? I can see what that might have to do with solving the problem, but what does it have to do with causing it? And what, exactly, do you mean by "poor response and tactics"?
A few weeks ago, we took visitors to the vista point at the top of Topanga Canyon for the sunset. There were at least half a dozen people smoking cigarettes, sitting and lying right in the middle of the super-dry brush. I remember thinking that it wouldn't take much to start a fire...
Exactly, Laure. I was up there last Saturday shooting pictures and I saw *many* cigarette butts alongside the AC Highway. I seriously do not get why tossing butts on the ground or out one's car window is considered acceptable behavior.
I am speculating wildly. I drive the Crest daily and when this fire was initially reported as a small brush fire I assumed it would be handled as the area is somewhat manageable. With the terrain, weather conditions and potential for a disaster the decision to bring in large and immediate resources should have been made. I drove Big Tujunga the following day and noticed the limited heli resources, no fixed wing and it was clear to me the fire was not managed. I think that if the initial response was greater initially we would not have had this situation.