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Bobcat Fire Tops 30,000 Acres; Evacuation Ordered For Parts Of Arcadia
Firefighters work to cut line in the Angeles Forest just north of Arcadia as the Bobcat fire burns. (Brian Feinzimer) Brian Feinzimer/Brian Feinzimer
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This story is no longer being updated. Follow our coverage of the Bobcat Fire for Monday, Sept. 14>>
5:30 p.m. UPDATE: The Bobcat Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest remains at 33,312 acres burned and 6% containment.
3 p.m. UPDATE: The Bobcat Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest remains at 31,991 acres burned and 6% containment.
A small portion of Sierra Madre including 32 homes is also under an evacuation order. The area is east of Santa Anita Ave. and north of Elkins Avenue.
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10:20 A.M. UPDATE: An evacuation order has been issued in the city of Arcadia. Affected areas are north of Elkins Ave. and east of Santa Anita Ave. to evacuate due to dangerous wildfire conditions. Residents in the area are advised to use Santa Anita Ave. to leave the area. Residents shall evacuate immediately.
A Red Cross Evacuation Center has been established at Santa Anita Race Track.
The Cobras Hotshots from Fulton / Sequoia National Forest rest after cutting fire line around a home in Arcadia to protect from the approaching Bobcat fire. (Brian Feinzimer) (Brian Feinzimer/Brian Feinzimer)
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Firefighters working structure protection on Highland Vista in Arcadia observe the Bobcat fire as it burns down the hill south towards the community. (Brian Feinzimer) (Brian Feinzimer/Brian Feinzimer)
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Mel Cohen removes family photos from his home on Highland Vista during evacuations as the Bobcat fire approaches the foothill community of Arcadia. (Brian Feinzimer) (Brian Feinzimer/Brian Feinzimer)
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The Bobcat fire flares up near homes in the foothill community of Arcadia. (Brian Feinzimer) (Brian Feinzimer/Brian Feinzimer)
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Freelance photojournalist Brian Feinzimer shot this video from Monte Place in Arcadia around 12:15 p.m.:
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NOW: Thr #BobcatFire approaches the homes in Arcadia against the Angeles National Forest. Mandatory evacuations underway, most people have evacuated. Winds calm now but fire could reach homes if winds pick up. On assignment for @KPCC / @LAist pic.twitter.com/L1uatolyow
— Brian Feinzimer (@bfeinzimer) September 13, 2020
8 a.m. UPDATE: The Bobcat Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest continues to grow. As of 8 a.m. Sunday, the fire has now burned 31,991 acres and is only at 6% containment.
The fire is burning above the foothill communities of Azusa and Monrovia.
Sunday morning's update from the Angeles National Forest said:
"The fire continues to actively grow to the north and south, with keeping it out of the foothills communities as the top priority. Crews are constructing handline and dozerline where possible to stop the downhill progression. Indirect lines are being used where direct attack is not possible. As air conditions allow, helicopters are being used to support the ground forces. Elsewhere on the fire the focus will be on keeping it south of Highway 2 and west of Highway 39. Indirect dozerline continues to be constructed to keep the fire away from Mount Wilson and to herd it into the Station Fire scar, where there will be significantly reduced fire behavior. This fire has mainly been driven by steep terrain and dry fuels, some of which have not seen fire activity in at least 60 years. Tonight, smoke and flame will remain visible to surrounding communities as fire activity remains in the south."
The Bobcat Fire has been burning in the Angeles National Forest now for more a week. Crews are hoping to take advantage of low winds forecasted for the next few days to draw some containment around the flames and protect nearby foothill communities under evacuation warnings.
Officials are particularly concerned about the community of Monrovia, where the city is asking residents to help firefighting efforts by conserving water. At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, the fire reached the Trask Boy Scout camp and Canyon Park. The fire also spread into Big Santa Anita canyon near Chantry Flat.
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