Results tagged “stationfire”

A slew of city and county agencies are coming together tonight to meet with residents of neighborhoods near the four major wildfires of the past two years (Sayre, Sessnon, Marek, and Station fires). Tonight is the first in a series of town halls about having a readiness and evacuation. When it rained briefly last week, there were mudslides. So it's safe to say, they are likely not to be the last. Maps will be given out where flood or debris flows might go. Tonight's 6 p.m. meeting is at Northeast Valley City Hall (17747 Foothill Boulevard, Tujunga 91402).

A short burst of rain last night--two inches in 5 minutes around 11 p.m.--caused a mudslide to enter into a La Canada Flintridge neighborhood, damaging six homes and some vehicles. No one was hurt, but it did demonstrate to everyone that when the rain comes, evacuations might be a good idea.

Although the massively large Station Fire was fully contained last month, it still burns in the Angeles National Forest. That may be confusing, but we'll back up to the common definitions of containment and control, as given by officials in most fire updates to the public:

The Yellow-Legged Frog is one of the endangered species found within the Angeles National Forest. With the Station Fire now past and mudslides a concern, U.S. Fish and Wildlife service officials are relocating some of the frogs until their home is more stable, reports the Pasadena Star News. Other endangered species in the forest include the unarmored threespine stickleback (it's a fish), the Arroyo toad and the Santa Ana suckerfish. LAist covered the frogs last December.

Big, but not surprising news snuck out yesterday about the 250-square mile Station Fire. After a cold front and a few days of rain, containment finally reached 100 percent last Friday evening.

The man who is suspected of starting a small fire in the Angeles National Forest just six days before the 250-square mile Station Fire was arrested last week in Lancaster, according to the LA Times. 25-year-old Babatunsin Olukunle, a Nigerian national, was caught on August 20th tending a fire near Mile Mark 36. Six days later near Mile Mark 29, the Station Fire began. Officials determined the large blaze to be caused by arson, prompting a homicide investigation after two firefighters lost their lives. Olukunle was only wanted for questioning and has not been formally named a suspect yet. Earlier this Month: Transient Sought For Questioning in Earlier Fire 'Person of Interest' in Station Fire

The National Weather Service has canceled the Flash Flood Watch issued yesterday in conjunction with the current weather system that is bringing rains to the area. As the storm approached, residents of recent burn areas, like the hills in the northern parts of Glendale, in La Crescenta, in La Cañada-Flintridge scorched by the massive Station Fire, worked diligently to prepare their homes and hillsides for potential mud or debris flows.

The National Weather Service this morning issued a flash flood watch for several areas that have burned over the last year from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. "A strong Pacific storm system moving into Central and Southern California will bring the threat of heavy rain," an alert stated. Up to four inches are expected in many areas.

Six days before the massive Station Fire broke out in the Angeles National Forest, a fire dubbed the "Lady Bug Fire" burned just six miles away. Los Angeles County Sheriff's detectives believe that much smaller fire was started by Babatunsin Olukunle, a 25-year-old Nigerian man and UC Davis dropout, according to KTLA.

Debris flows from the 2003 Old and Grand Prix fires left 16 people dead, according to a post-Station Fire report released yesterday by the USGS. Perhaps, that's one reason to take note of the debris flow areas marked on multiple maps within the report.

A report released today by the U.S. Geological Survey says that if it rains, "huge flows of mud and debris" are a likely scenario in the areas burned by the Station Fire, according to the Associated Press. The report examined about two scenarios--one, a three-hour thunderstorm and a 12-hour one.

U.S. Forest Officials yesterday signed an order that lifted closure restrictions on a large chunk of the Angeles National Forest. However, 450 square miles of the San Gabriel Mountain range still remain off-limits to public-at-large as the Station Fire continues to burn and personnel comb through recovery areaa. The closure will remain in affect until next year September, unless a new order lifting restrictions is signed.

The still-burning--yes, five weeks in, still burning--Station Fire is being investigated after the L.A. Times exposed that authorities pulled back resources on the fire when it first began. "It is very clear that a thorough investigation and review of the Station Fire response by the federal government is absolutely necessary," Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a written statement, supporting the federal investigation. "I can assure all Californians that the state is fully committed to working with the federal government to improve the U.S. Forest Service's response efforts," the governor added."

The aftermath of the Station Fire means picking up the pieces for those who live in communities tucked into the foothills, like La Cañada-Flintridge and La Crescenta. What lies ahead, however, is the one-two punch of Mother Nature, as heavy rains will likely trigger mudslides and debris flow down the slopes of the recently-scorched hillsides.

An LA Times investigation this weekend revealed that the response to the Station Fire was scaled back when officials underestimated the power of the blaze. Such an error in judgement is expected to change policy when a fire is ablaze in the lower Angeles National Forest near residential neighborhoods.

Full containment of the month-long Station Fire remains just out of grasp, according to an update issued this morning. The massive wildfire continues to hover at 98% containment, however officials are not currently able to provide a specific date for 100%. This is because "a small portion of the containment line is completely inaccessible and cannot be reached by crews in a safe manner. This area of open line is located in the San Gabriel Wilderness near Twin Peaks and will be continuously monitored." Although the skies do not indicate that the area continues to burn, potential visitors to the Angeles National Forest are reminded that "travel and recreation within the fire perimeter is still extremely dangerous and not allowed," and multiple road closures remain in effect.

It's a girl for Lori Quinones, the widow of Los Angeles County Fire Fighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones, one of the two firefighters who died on August 30 while fighting the Station Fire. Sophia Grace Quinones was born at 11:21 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22, in the Women and Children’s Center at Antelope Valley Hospital (AVH). Sophia arrived at 8lbs 2oz, and according to Mrs. Quinones "has her mother’s eyes and her father’s hair, nose, lips and fingers."

Of all that smoke that clouded the Los Angeles region during the Station Fire, some was of the whacky variety. Sheriff's deputies had identified three marijuana cultivation sites just before the fire began last month and they're sure more sites, unbeknownst to them, went aflame as well.

       

Although the Station Fire is still not fully contained--it's currently at 98 percent with 100 expected Saturday after burning through some 250 square miles--the process of rehabilitation has begun in parts of the Angeles National Forest where fire and come and gone.

The Station Fire began four weeks ago today on August 26th. Back then, the already-burning Morris Fire was dominating concern from authorities, but then the Station Fire took a turn for the worst, eventually burning through 250 square miles of the Angeles National Forest and becoming the biggest fire in Los Angeles County history (and in the top ten for the state).

A number of fires may be burning in Ventura County and in the Inland Empire, but the Station and Morris Fires are still causing concern for health officials. No, it's not the spread of fire or smoke this time; rather, it's ash blown by the arriving Santa Ana winds.

Fire-friendly weather has pushed back containment of the nearly month-old Station Fire to Thursday, according to Forest Service authorities today. The blaze, which has burned through some 250 square miles, is still 94 percent contained. Aerial operations will continue in an effort to knockdown remaining interior hotspots and to reduce the risk of embers igniting additional fuels during today's hot, dry and windy weather. "These hotspots are located in steep and rugged terrain, which is inaccessible by ground crews," explained an Angeles National Forest fire operations summary.

Last week we showed you NASA's series of images from space of the Station Fire and its ugly spread across the Angeles National Forest. The fire remains less than fully contained, and last week another image was added to the series of shots, this one indicating the "burn scar" from the massive wildfire. Much like a scar on our bodies, this is a wound that is going to take quite some time to heal.

Forest Service officials this morning upped containment of the Station Fire one point to 94 percent after a weekend of aggressive air attacks meant to pre-empt the coming Red Flag fire weather of hotter temperatures, lower humidity and increased winds. A Red Flag will go into effect at midnight through Wednesday evening.

Although tomorrow afternoon we officially usher in fall, we're about to be swept up in another heat wave, this time complete with hot, dry Santa Ana winds. Not only does that mean we will be uncomfortably hot for another stretch of time, but also the risk for wildfires is dramatically higher. "Fire crews across Southern California will be on alert as a red flag warning goes into effect at midnight," explains abc7.com.

Citing concerns over predicted weather, prime for fueling and spreading fire, Forest Service authorities have ordered air assaults to begin tomorrow morning and throughout the next few days as needed to combat the still burning Station Fire. Four heavy helitankers will treat fuels along the north slope of Mount Wilson, a rugged area too steep for fire crews to reach by foot.

Officials this morning extended the expected full containment of the Station Fire from this Saturday to Tuesday, citing an increase in hotter and drier weather. "We're expecting humidity to go down, temperatures to go up and wit the normal flow of down canyon winds mixed with dry fuel, we decided to push containment back a few days," explained Brian Grant, a Forest Service fire information officer, over the phone.

As officials announced last night, the 250-square mile Station Fire remains at 93 percent contained and in light of predicted fire-friendly weather, they hope they do not lose control of a couple hot spots still being mopped up by crews. "The remaining work is extremely difficult due to steep and rugged terrain," a Forest Service statement read. "In the area of Mt. Wilson, fire activity remains active and smoke may be seen in the area east of Mt. Wilson to Devore as undergrowth burns away and crews work to extinguish hot spots in this very rugged area," the statement continued.

U.S. Forest Service officials announced tonight that the Station Fire is now contained at 93 percent, up two points since this morning. However, the size of the fire remains at 160,557 acres, roughly 250 square miles.

Homeowners, renters and businesses can now take advantage of low interest federal loans to help rebuild or repair property lost or damaged during the Station Fire. 89 homes were destroyed along with 26 commercial properties. Of that 66 homes and five businesses sustained uninsured losses of at least 40 percent of their value, which meets the U.S. Small Business Administration's criteria to declare a disaster. "Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence, and homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property," according to Senator Barbaa Boxer's office. "Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets. Interest rates can be as low as 2.75 percent for homeowners and renters and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years."