Eaton Fire: A rebuilding journey

Not that normal means no more smog, but the daily Station Fire-related alerts from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department took a turn for the better today. "According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the air quality in Los Angeles County has returned to 'moderate' to 'good' levels, except for in the areas immediately around the still-burning portions of the Station Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains," the agency announced in...

We've seen, smelt and been saddened by the destruction of the deadly Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest. Containment is expected next week and soon after a new phase will be entered into: rebirth. "After we get in there and assess what damages need to be repaired, there will be opportunity for volunteers to help the Forest Service repair some of this stuff," explained Howard Okamoto, the Recreation Officer for the Los Angeles...

Photo: Eye of Brad The Station Fire has burned through 160,557 acres, about 250 square miles, and is 77 percent contained, officials with the Angeles National Forest announced this morning. The blaze, which began on August 26th, has cost about $82 million to fight. Full containment is expected next Tuesday, which means costs will still rise, possibly to $100 million, according to the LA Times. The federal government is expected to pick up most...

The Bluff Fire that began around 9:30 a.m. this morning north of Banning has spread rapidly, prompting an aggressive assault from the ground and air from CalFire and Riverside County fire officials. Two County firefighters suffered heat-related injuries, according to the Daily Bulletin. The blaze, which is suspected of starting in a shed, has been 10 percent contained. No home have been damaged or are threatened at the present time. "It's pretty much (burning...

A fire that began around 10 a.m. has grown to 70 acres near the Riverside County town of Banning, north of the 10 Freeway, east of the 60. No communities are currently threatned, according to authorities at the San Bernardino National Forest. Apparently, the fire began near Mias Canyon Road in a shed on a farm, reported KESQ, an ABC affiliate in the Palm Springs area. riv fire capt fernando herrera, 951 940 6985-->...

After burning through 7,425 acres, the Big Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park has been 100 percent contained. The blaze intentionally began as a 90-fire controlled burn on Wednesday, August 26th, but officials lost control. All roads into Yosemite National Park, including the Big Oak Flat Road and portions of the Tioga Road, are now open with no restrictions. These roads allows visitors to enter Yosemite Valley via Highway 120. However, some pull-outs may...

The Station Fire had its way with La Cañada-Flintridge just last week, but fires still happen when people are careless. Actually, in the case of a house fire yesterday in the area, it wasn't a human who made the flub, it was the dog. A "hyperactive dog" knocked over a candle, which set the furniture ablaze, followed by the entire house, reports the Pasadena Star-News. The house is considered a "total loss," and "damage...

Past air quality alerts regarding Station Fire pollution stated that the air quality was unhealthy for "sensitive individuals," such as the elderly, children and those with respiratory problems. However, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health toda said air quality is "unhealthy for all individuals" in the San Gabriel Mountains and Valley. Air quality in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys remain "unhealthy for sensitive individuals." Officials urge residents to call...

Didn't this burn last year, like twice? A small vegetation fire reported to the fire department at 12:48 p.m. burned a half-acre inside O'Melvany Park, just south of Sunshine Canyon in Granada Hills today. The park is located at the eastern end of the Santa Susana Mountains, site of the 14,703-acre Sesnon Fire from last year October. The Los Angeles Fire Department deployed not only ground crews, but an air attack, snuffing out today's...

Photo: digitalshay/Flickr Although Los Angeles firefighters knocked down flames in 17 minutes at an early morning fire in Harbor Gateway, one man pronounced dead inside the home. The blaze began around 4:45 a.m. at 15925 Orchard Ave. Officials say pack rat conditions, often referred on the east coast as a Collyers' Mansion, were found inside. Back in 1999, about six people died in "pack rat" fires per year, the LA Times found. "Almost all...