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News

Wildfires Postpone San Gabriel Valley's 17-Mile Open-Streets Festival

By  Tim Loc
Published Jun 23, 2016 11:00 PM
626_golden_streets.jpg
What could have been... (via @bikesgv)
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The much-anticipated 626 Golden Streets—a car-free festival that would have stretched across the San Gabriel Valley—has been postponed because of the San Gabriel Complex Fire.

The Metro-hosted party would have passed through South Pasadena, San Marino, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, and Azusa. In other words, it was going to be massive. Scheduled events included a KPCC "Activity Hub," numerous chalk-art demonstrations, tons of food trucks (duh), a zumba class in Arcadia, an L.A. Rams Fan-Fest in Irwindale, and a free muay thai class in Azusa. All those events, unfortunately, will have to wait for another day as festival planners (rightfully) postponed the festival over concerns about the air quality.

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The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory today saying that the air quality may reach "unhealthy" levels in parts of the West and East San Gabriel Valley, Pomona, Riverside, and even Big Bear. As noted by the agency, people in affected areas should "avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion."

The San Gabriel Complex Fire first started on June 20 when a motorist veered off the road and crashed into the vegetation, sparking off a fire in Azusa. Then, just a hour later, a second man-made fire started four miles away in Duarte. The fires, now collectively known as the San Gabriel Complex Fire, have been burning for five days straight. As of publication it's tore through 5,267 acres and is only 30 percent contained, reports CBS 2.

Promoters for 626 Golden Streets promise that the festival will be back. You can check out the event's website or follow them @bikeSGV for updates. And check out this group of fresh-faced volunteers! They're soldiering on in spite of the bummer news. We tip our hats to them:

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