Officials have issued another smoke advisory in most of Los Angeles County and parts of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties today thanks to a wildfire burning in the Angeles National Forest that has blackened 26,368 acres and is only 6% contained.
Authorities have issued evacuation warnings in seven San Gabriel Valley foothill communities as the Bobcat Fire, which broke out at midday Sunday continues to burn near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area. The fire was moving in a northeasterly direction Thursday, with hundreds of firefighters working to extinguish the flames, according to the Forest Service.
No structural damage or injuries have been reported.
“The northern portion of the fire has reached up into ridges near Angeles Crest Highway where retardant drops have been made,” the Forest Service said. “Steep terrain and dry fuels, some of which haven't burned in the last 60 years, will create challenges for crews.”
On Friday morning, “areas south of the Bobcat fire along the I-210 corridor from Pasadena to Rancho Cucamonga will likely see the highest levels (of particulate matter) as smoke is likely to remain closer to the ground overnight,” the South Coast Air Quality Management District advises, while on Friday afternoon, onshore winds are expected to move smoke east and northeast toward the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains and San Bernardino Mountains.
“Priority is to contain the south end of the fire in anticipation of Santa Ana winds,” the Forest Service reported.
Authorities have issued evacuation warnings for the foothill communities of Duarte, Bradbury, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Pasadena, Altadena and Arcadia. The city of Arcadia issued a “voluntary evacuation suggestion” for residents north of Foothill Boulevard and east of Santa Anita Avenue, but that was lifted about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday by city officials after the fire moved away from Arcadia.
Previous evacuation orders for residents and Angeles National Forest visitors from Big Santa Anita Canyon, Mt. Wilson, San Gabriel Canyon and Monrovia Canyon were lifted Wednesday evening, according to the Forest Service.
On Thursday, the American Red Cross closed its temporary evacuation point at Santa Anita Park, which was established on Tuesday for anyone affected by the fire. Owners of large animals who need shelter can go to Fairplex in Pomona and Santa Anita Park. However, people who want to board their horses at Fairplex are advised to call Fairplex Security at 909-865-4600.
Trailers should enter the grounds at Gate 12 at 2201 White Ave., Fairplex director of communications Renee Hernandez said.
Owners will need to provide food, water and bedding for horses and must adhere to social distancing protocols and wear masks. Fairplex has enough stables to board 300 horses, and stables are spaced to assist with social distancing, Hernandez said.
Thanks to the high fire danger, the U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday closed the Angeles National Forest, as well as all 18 national forests in California.
“The wildfire situation throughout California is dangerous and must be taken seriously,” Randy Moore, regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Region, said Monday. “Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior, new fire starts are likely, weather conditions are worsening, and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire.”
The Glendale (2) Freeway was closed from 10.6 miles east of La Canada- Flintridge to Islip Saddle. Highway 39 was closed at Canyon Entrance Station.
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