status: Open -> Standby

notes: Inciweb is a very informative disaster update site that includes photo's, daily updates detailing evac's, road closures, fire stats, links and all kinds of important information: http://inciweb.org/incident/1856/ -------------------------------------------- Road Closures 9/1/09: The following roads are closed due to the Station Fire: ALL 3 AXLES OR GREATER COMBINATIONS ARE PROHIBITED ON STATE ROUTE 2 LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Angeles Crest Highway between Interstate 210 (in the city of LA Canada) and Angeles Forest Highway Highway 2, north of the La Canada Golf Course Angeles Crest Highway, from La Canada to Clear Creek Junction Highway 14 - off and on ramps that have been closed are: Soledad Canyon in Canyon Country, Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Escondido Canyon, Red Rover Mine Road and Crown Valley Road. Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Placerita Canyon to LA City Boundary Mt. Wilson Rd. from Angeles Crest Hwy. to Mt. Wilson Circle Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy. from Big Tujunga Cyn Rd. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Angeles Forest Hwy. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Video Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Audio Rd. Audio Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Mt. Wilson Cr. East Fork Rd. from Glendora Ridge Rd. closed to incoming traffic only Red Rover Mine Rd. at Hwy 14 Soledad Canyon Rd. at Crown valley Rd. Escondido Rd. at Hwy 14 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd at Hwy 14 Placerita at Sand Canyon Rd. Big Pines at Hwy 2 Aliso Canyon at Soledad Canyon Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy at Mt. Emma Rd. Red Rover Mine Rd. at Escondido Rd. Aliso Canyon at Ave Y-8 Little Tujunga at Ranger Station Open to Residents Only: Lake Blvd. to JPL and south of Cheyney Tr. For more traffic information, people can phone Caltrans for updates at (800) 427-7623 or visit www.dot.ca.gov -------------------------------------------------- This afternoon there are several new areas in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Station Fire. While authorities cannot force people to leave their homes in these areas, heeding orders is seriously urged; this afternoon 5 people who opted not to leave Gold Canyon under orders two days ago are now in a situation too dangerous to allow a helicopter rescue. Chantry Flats Acton Area: Soledad Canyon Rd. between Agua Dulce Canyon Rd. and Crown Valley Rd. There is a mandatory evacuation of the area bounded by Soledad Canyon Rd, Aliso Canyon Rd. and Angeles Forest Highway. National Forest: Soledad Canyon Rd./Bootlegger Canyon Rd. Area AND Little Rock Recreation Area Mount Emma Rd. and Cheseboro Rd; and Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Mount Gleason to Angeles Forest Highway; and Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. north of the Little Tujunga Ranger Station and Gold Creek. La Crescenta: Vicinity of Rosemont, La Crescenta, and Ramsdell AND North of Rockdell, Pineridge, Mountain Pine, and Markridge Rd.; all streets north of Rockdell St. between Briggs Av. and Pine Glenn Rd; and all streets located west of Briggs Ave. and east of Pennsylvania Ave., in between Harmony Pl. and the foothills. La Cañada Flintridge: all streets east of Ocean View Blvd. and north of Los Amigos St; all streets north of Jessen Drive and Palm Drive Altadena: All streets north of Loma Alta Dr., located between Lincoln Ave. and Lake Ave; all streets located in "The Meadows" (all streets located above Loma Alta Dr. and west of Lincoln Ave. to Aralia Rd.) Sunland-Tujunga/NE San Fernando Valley: Streets North and East of: Sevenhills Dr; Angeles; Hillhaven Ave; Dos Rios Dr; Lonzo St; Deliban Ave; Amidon Pl; Sevenhills Dr north of Hillrose St And Streets North and East of: Burland Av; Terecita Rd; Terecita Pl; Owens St; Samon Av; Samon Pl; Parsons; Grenoble St; Silverton St; Bellclaire St; Glory Ave; East of Fairgrove Ave; North East of Apperson x Fairgrove Ave If you are unsure about evacuation orders for your area, dial 211 for assistance and information. Evacuation Centers are located at: La Cañada High School (La Cañada Flintridge), Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta), Golden Valley High School (Santa Clarita), Verdugo Hills High School (Tujunga), Marie Kerr Park (Palmdale), Sunland Park (Sunland-Tujunga). Animals are being accepted at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds; Pierce College (horses, donkey and mules only); and Lancaster Animal Shelter and Agoura Animal Shelter (small animals only). --------------------------------------------------------------- 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area. -> 9/7/09: All voluntary/mandatory evac's have been lifted for three days now. The only two shelters open are Golden Valley HS in Santa Clarita & Verdugo Hills HS in Tujunga. They only have a few people sheltering and it's expected those shelters will close anytime now. Go to www.Inciweb.com for the latest in road closures and fire progress. ---------------------------------------------------- Inciweb is a very informative disaster update site that includes photo's, daily updates detailing evac's, road closures, fire stats, links and all kinds of important information: http://inciweb.org/incident/1856/ -------------------------------------------- Road Closures 9/1/09: The following roads are closed due to the Station Fire: ALL 3 AXLES OR GREATER COMBINATIONS ARE PROHIBITED ON STATE ROUTE 2 LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Angeles Crest Highway between Interstate 210 (in the city of LA Canada) and Angeles Forest Highway Highway 2, north of the La Canada Golf Course Angeles Crest Highway, from La Canada to Clear Creek Junction Highway 14 - off and on ramps that have been closed are: Soledad Canyon in Canyon Country, Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Escondido Canyon, Red Rover Mine Road and Crown Valley Road. Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Placerita Canyon to LA City Boundary Mt. Wilson Rd. from Angeles Crest Hwy. to Mt. Wilson Circle Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy. from Big Tujunga Cyn Rd. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Angeles Forest Hwy. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Video Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Audio Rd. Audio Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Mt. Wilson Cr. East Fork Rd. from Glendora Ridge Rd. closed to incoming traffic only Red Rover Mine Rd. at Hwy 14 Soledad Canyon Rd. at Crown valley Rd. Escondido Rd. at Hwy 14 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd at Hwy 14 Placerita at Sand Canyon Rd. Big Pines at Hwy 2 Aliso Canyon at Soledad Canyon Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy at Mt. Emma Rd. Red Rover Mine Rd. at Escondido Rd. Aliso Canyon at Ave Y-8 Little Tujunga at Ranger Station Open to Residents Only: Lake Blvd. to JPL and south of Cheyney Tr. For more traffic information, people can phone Caltrans for updates at (800) 427-7623 or visit www.dot.ca.gov -------------------------------------------------- This afternoon there are several new areas in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Station Fire. While authorities cannot force people to leave their homes in these areas, heeding orders is seriously urged; this afternoon 5 people who opted not to leave Gold Canyon under orders two days ago are now in a situation too dangerous to allow a helicopter rescue. Chantry Flats Acton Area: Soledad Canyon Rd. between Agua Dulce Canyon Rd. and Crown Valley Rd. There is a mandatory evacuation of the area bounded by Soledad Canyon Rd, Aliso Canyon Rd. and Angeles Forest Highway. National Forest: Soledad Canyon Rd./Bootlegger Canyon Rd. Area AND Little Rock Recreation Area Mount Emma Rd. and Cheseboro Rd; and Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Mount Gleason to Angeles Forest Highway; and Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. north of the Little Tujunga Ranger Station and Gold Creek. La Crescenta: Vicinity of Rosemont, La Crescenta, and Ramsdell AND North of Rockdell, Pineridge, Mountain Pine, and Markridge Rd.; all streets north of Rockdell St. between Briggs Av. and Pine Glenn Rd; and all streets located west of Briggs Ave. and east of Pennsylvania Ave., in between Harmony Pl. and the foothills. La Cañada Flintridge: all streets east of Ocean View Blvd. and north of Los Amigos St; all streets north of Jessen Drive and Palm Drive Altadena: All streets north of Loma Alta Dr., located between Lincoln Ave. and Lake Ave; all streets located in "The Meadows" (all streets located above Loma Alta Dr. and west of Lincoln Ave. to Aralia Rd.) Sunland-Tujunga/NE San Fernando Valley: Streets North and East of: Sevenhills Dr; Angeles; Hillhaven Ave; Dos Rios Dr; Lonzo St; Deliban Ave; Amidon Pl; Sevenhills Dr north of Hillrose St And Streets North and East of: Burland Av; Terecita Rd; Terecita Pl; Owens St; Samon Av; Samon Pl; Parsons; Grenoble St; Silverton St; Bellclaire St; Glory Ave; East of Fairgrove Ave; North East of Apperson x Fairgrove Ave If you are unsure about evacuation orders for your area, dial 211 for assistance and information. Evacuation Centers are located at: La Cañada High School (La Cañada Flintridge), Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta), Golden Valley High School (Santa Clarita), Verdugo Hills High School (Tujunga), Marie Kerr Park (Palmdale), Sunland Park (Sunland-Tujunga). Animals are being accepted at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds; Pierce College (horses, donkey and mules only); and Lancaster Animal Shelter and Agoura Animal Shelter (small animals only). --------------------------------------------------------------- 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area.

notes: Road Closures 9/1/09: The following roads are closed due to the Station Fire: ALL 3 AXLES OR GREATER COMBINATIONS ARE PROHIBITED ON STATE ROUTE 2 LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Angeles Crest Highway between Interstate 210 (in the city of LA Canada) and Angeles Forest Highway Highway 2, north of the La Canada Golf Course Angeles Crest Highway, from La Canada to Clear Creek Junction Highway 14 - off and on ramps that have been closed are: Soledad Canyon in Canyon Country, Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Escondido Canyon, Red Rover Mine Road and Crown Valley Road. Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Placerita Canyon to LA City Boundary Mt. Wilson Rd. from Angeles Crest Hwy. to Mt. Wilson Circle Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy. from Big Tujunga Cyn Rd. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Angeles Forest Hwy. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Video Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Audio Rd. Audio Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Mt. Wilson Cr. East Fork Rd. from Glendora Ridge Rd. closed to incoming traffic only Red Rover Mine Rd. at Hwy 14 Soledad Canyon Rd. at Crown valley Rd. Escondido Rd. at Hwy 14 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd at Hwy 14 Placerita at Sand Canyon Rd. Big Pines at Hwy 2 Aliso Canyon at Soledad Canyon Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy at Mt. Emma Rd. Red Rover Mine Rd. at Escondido Rd. Aliso Canyon at Ave Y-8 Little Tujunga at Ranger Station Open to Residents Only: Lake Blvd. to JPL and south of Cheyney Tr. For more traffic information, people can phone Caltrans for updates at (800) 427-7623 or visit www.dot.ca.gov -------------------------------------------------- This afternoon there are several new areas in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Station Fire. While authorities cannot force people to leave their homes in these areas, heeding orders is seriously urged; this afternoon 5 people who opted not to leave Gold Canyon under orders two days ago are now in a situation too dangerous to allow a helicopter rescue. Chantry Flats Acton Area: Soledad Canyon Rd. between Agua Dulce Canyon Rd. and Crown Valley Rd. There is a mandatory evacuation of the area bounded by Soledad Canyon Rd, Aliso Canyon Rd. and Angeles Forest Highway. National Forest: Soledad Canyon Rd./Bootlegger Canyon Rd. Area AND Little Rock Recreation Area Mount Emma Rd. and Cheseboro Rd; and Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Mount Gleason to Angeles Forest Highway; and Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. north of the Little Tujunga Ranger Station and Gold Creek. La Crescenta: Vicinity of Rosemont, La Crescenta, and Ramsdell AND North of Rockdell, Pineridge, Mountain Pine, and Markridge Rd.; all streets north of Rockdell St. between Briggs Av. and Pine Glenn Rd; and all streets located west of Briggs Ave. and east of Pennsylvania Ave., in between Harmony Pl. and the foothills. La Cañada Flintridge: all streets east of Ocean View Blvd. and north of Los Amigos St; all streets north of Jessen Drive and Palm Drive Altadena: All streets north of Loma Alta Dr., located between Lincoln Ave. and Lake Ave; all streets located in "The Meadows" (all streets located above Loma Alta Dr. and west of Lincoln Ave. to Aralia Rd.) Sunland-Tujunga/NE San Fernando Valley: Streets North and East of: Sevenhills Dr; Angeles; Hillhaven Ave; Dos Rios Dr; Lonzo St; Deliban Ave; Amidon Pl; Sevenhills Dr north of Hillrose St And Streets North and East of: Burland Av; Terecita Rd; Terecita Pl; Owens St; Samon Av; Samon Pl; Parsons; Grenoble St; Silverton St; Bellclaire St; Glory Ave; East of Fairgrove Ave; North East of Apperson x Fairgrove Ave If you are unsure about evacuation orders for your area, dial 211 for assistance and information. Evacuation Centers are located at: La Cañada High School (La Cañada Flintridge), Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta), Golden Valley High School (Santa Clarita), Verdugo Hills High School (Tujunga), Marie Kerr Park (Palmdale), Sunland Park (Sunland-Tujunga). Animals are being accepted at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds; Pierce College (horses, donkey and mules only); and Lancaster Animal Shelter and Agoura Animal Shelter (small animals only). --------------------------------------------------------------- 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area. -> Inciweb is a very informative disaster update site that includes photo's, daily updates detailing evac's, road closures, fire stats, links and all kinds of important information: http://inciweb.org/incident/1856/ -------------------------------------------- Road Closures 9/1/09: The following roads are closed due to the Station Fire: ALL 3 AXLES OR GREATER COMBINATIONS ARE PROHIBITED ON STATE ROUTE 2 LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Angeles Crest Highway between Interstate 210 (in the city of LA Canada) and Angeles Forest Highway Highway 2, north of the La Canada Golf Course Angeles Crest Highway, from La Canada to Clear Creek Junction Highway 14 - off and on ramps that have been closed are: Soledad Canyon in Canyon Country, Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Escondido Canyon, Red Rover Mine Road and Crown Valley Road. Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Placerita Canyon to LA City Boundary Mt. Wilson Rd. from Angeles Crest Hwy. to Mt. Wilson Circle Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy. from Big Tujunga Cyn Rd. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Angeles Forest Hwy. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Video Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Audio Rd. Audio Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Mt. Wilson Cr. East Fork Rd. from Glendora Ridge Rd. closed to incoming traffic only Red Rover Mine Rd. at Hwy 14 Soledad Canyon Rd. at Crown valley Rd. Escondido Rd. at Hwy 14 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd at Hwy 14 Placerita at Sand Canyon Rd. Big Pines at Hwy 2 Aliso Canyon at Soledad Canyon Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy at Mt. Emma Rd. Red Rover Mine Rd. at Escondido Rd. Aliso Canyon at Ave Y-8 Little Tujunga at Ranger Station Open to Residents Only: Lake Blvd. to JPL and south of Cheyney Tr. For more traffic information, people can phone Caltrans for updates at (800) 427-7623 or visit www.dot.ca.gov -------------------------------------------------- This afternoon there are several new areas in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Station Fire. While authorities cannot force people to leave their homes in these areas, heeding orders is seriously urged; this afternoon 5 people who opted not to leave Gold Canyon under orders two days ago are now in a situation too dangerous to allow a helicopter rescue. Chantry Flats Acton Area: Soledad Canyon Rd. between Agua Dulce Canyon Rd. and Crown Valley Rd. There is a mandatory evacuation of the area bounded by Soledad Canyon Rd, Aliso Canyon Rd. and Angeles Forest Highway. National Forest: Soledad Canyon Rd./Bootlegger Canyon Rd. Area AND Little Rock Recreation Area Mount Emma Rd. and Cheseboro Rd; and Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Mount Gleason to Angeles Forest Highway; and Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. north of the Little Tujunga Ranger Station and Gold Creek. La Crescenta: Vicinity of Rosemont, La Crescenta, and Ramsdell AND North of Rockdell, Pineridge, Mountain Pine, and Markridge Rd.; all streets north of Rockdell St. between Briggs Av. and Pine Glenn Rd; and all streets located west of Briggs Ave. and east of Pennsylvania Ave., in between Harmony Pl. and the foothills. La Cañada Flintridge: all streets east of Ocean View Blvd. and north of Los Amigos St; all streets north of Jessen Drive and Palm Drive Altadena: All streets north of Loma Alta Dr., located between Lincoln Ave. and Lake Ave; all streets located in "The Meadows" (all streets located above Loma Alta Dr. and west of Lincoln Ave. to Aralia Rd.) Sunland-Tujunga/NE San Fernando Valley: Streets North and East of: Sevenhills Dr; Angeles; Hillhaven Ave; Dos Rios Dr; Lonzo St; Deliban Ave; Amidon Pl; Sevenhills Dr north of Hillrose St And Streets North and East of: Burland Av; Terecita Rd; Terecita Pl; Owens St; Samon Av; Samon Pl; Parsons; Grenoble St; Silverton St; Bellclaire St; Glory Ave; East of Fairgrove Ave; North East of Apperson x Fairgrove Ave If you are unsure about evacuation orders for your area, dial 211 for assistance and information. Evacuation Centers are located at: La Cañada High School (La Cañada Flintridge), Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta), Golden Valley High School (Santa Clarita), Verdugo Hills High School (Tujunga), Marie Kerr Park (Palmdale), Sunland Park (Sunland-Tujunga). Animals are being accepted at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds; Pierce College (horses, donkey and mules only); and Lancaster Animal Shelter and Agoura Animal Shelter (small animals only). --------------------------------------------------------------- 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area.

cat_notes: Hey Leslie, Here is another link for this specific fire... thought I'd share it here in case you would want to do more with it. Dayle http://inciweb.org/incident/1856/ -> Hey Leslie, Here is another link for this specific fire... thought I'd share it here in case you would want to do more with it. Dayle http://inciweb.org/incident/1856/ 9/1/09 8:48 am LTel: Thanks darlin....I found that site yesterday and put it up on Twitter for DoYourPartfires, but I've been having a bit of trouble keeping up with all the sources of public communication (my facebook page, the DYP facebook group page and Twitter). Makes my head spin but it's a wonderful source to keep people informed. I don't know that anyone is even looking at the database. Will be curious what Terra says about recent hits to the site. Thanks for the info sweet! I was sleeping (for once) when you rang last night. Les

cat_notes: -> Hey Leslie, Here is another link for this specific fire... thought I'd share it here in case you would want to do more with it. Dayle http://inciweb.org/incident/1856/

name: Station Wildfire, Index (Road Closures/Evac Updates/Media Reports) -> Station Wildfire, INDEX (Road Closures/Evac Updates/Media Reports)
notes: Road Closures 9/1/09: The following roads are closed due to the Station Fire: ALL 3 AXLES OR GREATER COMBINATIONS ARE PROHIBITED ON STATE ROUTE 2 LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Angeles Crest Highway between Interstate 210 (in the city of LA Canada) and Angeles Forest Highway Highway 2, north of the La Canada Golf Course Angeles Crest Highway, from La Canada to Clear Creek Junction Highway 14 - off and on ramps that have been closed are: Soledad Canyon in Canyon Country, Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Escondido Canyon, Red Rover Mine Road and Crown Valley Road. Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Placerita Canyon to LA City Boundary Mt. Wilson Rd. from Angeles Crest Hwy. to Mt. Wilson Circle Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy. from Big Tujunga Cyn Rd. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Angeles Forest Hwy. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Video Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Audio Rd. Audio Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Mt. Wilson Cr. East Fork Rd. from Glendora Ridge Rd. closed to incoming traffic only Red Rover Mine Rd. at Hwy 14 Soledad Canyon Rd. at Crown valley Rd. Escondido Rd. at Hwy 14 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd at Hwy 14 Placerita at Sand Canyon Rd. Big Pines at Hwy 2 Aliso Canyon at Soledad Canyon Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy at Mt. Emma Rd. Red Rover Mine Rd. at Escondido Rd. Aliso Canyon at Ave Y-8 Little Tujunga at Ranger Station Open to Residents Only: Lake Blvd. to JPL and south of Cheyney Tr. For more traffic information, people can phone Caltrans for updates at (800) 427-7623 or visit www.dot.ca.gov -------------------------------------------------- This afternoon there are several new areas in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Station Fire. While authorities cannot force people to leave their homes in these areas, heeding orders is seriously urged; this afternoon 5 people who opted not to leave Gold Canyon under orders two days ago are now in a situation too dangerous to allow a helicopter rescue. Chantry Flats Acton Area: Soledad Canyon Rd. between Agua Dulce Canyon Rd. and Crown Valley Rd. There is a mandatory evacuation of the area bounded by Soledad Canyon Rd, Aliso Canyon Rd. and Angeles Forest Highway. National Forest: Soledad Canyon Rd./Bootlegger Canyon Rd. Area AND Little Rock Recreation Area Mount Emma Rd. and Cheseboro Rd; and Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Mount Gleason to Angeles Forest Highway; and Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. north of the Little Tujunga Ranger Station and Gold Creek. La Crescenta: Vicinity of Rosemont, La Crescenta, and Ramsdell AND North of Rockdell, Pineridge, Mountain Pine, and Markridge Rd.; all streets north of Rockdell St. between Briggs Av. and Pine Glenn Rd; and all streets located west of Briggs Ave. and east of Pennsylvania Ave., in between Harmony Pl. and the foothills. La Cañada Flintridge: all streets east of Ocean View Blvd. and north of Los Amigos St; all streets north of Jessen Drive and Palm Drive Altadena: All streets north of Loma Alta Dr., located between Lincoln Ave. and Lake Ave; all streets located in "The Meadows" (all streets located above Loma Alta Dr. and west of Lincoln Ave. to Aralia Rd.) Sunland-Tujunga/NE San Fernando Valley: Streets North and East of: Sevenhills Dr; Angeles; Hillhaven Ave; Dos Rios Dr; Lonzo St; Deliban Ave; Amidon Pl; Sevenhills Dr north of Hillrose St And Streets North and East of: Burland Av; Terecita Rd; Terecita Pl; Owens St; Samon Av; Samon Pl; Parsons; Grenoble St; Silverton St; Bellclaire St; Glory Ave; East of Fairgrove Ave; North East of Apperson x Fairgrove Ave If you are unsure about evacuation orders for your area, dial 211 for assistance and information. Evacuation Centers are located at: La Cañada High School (La Cañada Flintridge), Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta), Golden Valley High School (Santa Clarita), Verdugo Hills High School (Tujunga), Marie Kerr Park (Palmdale), Sunland Park (Sunland-Tujunga). Animals are being accepted at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds; Pierce College (horses, donkey and mules only); and Lancaster Animal Shelter and Agoura Animal Shelter (small animals only). --------------------------------------------------------------- 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area. -> Road Closures 9/1/09: The following roads are closed due to the Station Fire: ALL 3 AXLES OR GREATER COMBINATIONS ARE PROHIBITED ON STATE ROUTE 2 LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Angeles Crest Highway between Interstate 210 (in the city of LA Canada) and Angeles Forest Highway Highway 2, north of the La Canada Golf Course Angeles Crest Highway, from La Canada to Clear Creek Junction Highway 14 - off and on ramps that have been closed are: Soledad Canyon in Canyon Country, Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Escondido Canyon, Red Rover Mine Road and Crown Valley Road. Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Placerita Canyon to LA City Boundary Mt. Wilson Rd. from Angeles Crest Hwy. to Mt. Wilson Circle Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy. from Big Tujunga Cyn Rd. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Angeles Forest Hwy. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Video Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Audio Rd. Audio Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Mt. Wilson Cr. East Fork Rd. from Glendora Ridge Rd. closed to incoming traffic only Red Rover Mine Rd. at Hwy 14 Soledad Canyon Rd. at Crown valley Rd. Escondido Rd. at Hwy 14 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd at Hwy 14 Placerita at Sand Canyon Rd. Big Pines at Hwy 2 Aliso Canyon at Soledad Canyon Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy at Mt. Emma Rd. Red Rover Mine Rd. at Escondido Rd. Aliso Canyon at Ave Y-8 Little Tujunga at Ranger Station Open to Residents Only: Lake Blvd. to JPL and south of Cheyney Tr. For more traffic information, people can phone Caltrans for updates at (800) 427-7623 or visit www.dot.ca.gov -------------------------------------------------- This afternoon there are several new areas in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Station Fire. While authorities cannot force people to leave their homes in these areas, heeding orders is seriously urged; this afternoon 5 people who opted not to leave Gold Canyon under orders two days ago are now in a situation too dangerous to allow a helicopter rescue. Chantry Flats Acton Area: Soledad Canyon Rd. between Agua Dulce Canyon Rd. and Crown Valley Rd. There is a mandatory evacuation of the area bounded by Soledad Canyon Rd, Aliso Canyon Rd. and Angeles Forest Highway. National Forest: Soledad Canyon Rd./Bootlegger Canyon Rd. Area AND Little Rock Recreation Area Mount Emma Rd. and Cheseboro Rd; and Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Mount Gleason to Angeles Forest Highway; and Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. north of the Little Tujunga Ranger Station and Gold Creek. La Crescenta: Vicinity of Rosemont, La Crescenta, and Ramsdell AND North of Rockdell, Pineridge, Mountain Pine, and Markridge Rd.; all streets north of Rockdell St. between Briggs Av. and Pine Glenn Rd; and all streets located west of Briggs Ave. and east of Pennsylvania Ave., in between Harmony Pl. and the foothills. La Cañada Flintridge: all streets east of Ocean View Blvd. and north of Los Amigos St; all streets north of Jessen Drive and Palm Drive Altadena: All streets north of Loma Alta Dr., located between Lincoln Ave. and Lake Ave; all streets located in "The Meadows" (all streets located above Loma Alta Dr. and west of Lincoln Ave. to Aralia Rd.) Sunland-Tujunga/NE San Fernando Valley: Streets North and East of: Sevenhills Dr; Angeles; Hillhaven Ave; Dos Rios Dr; Lonzo St; Deliban Ave; Amidon Pl; Sevenhills Dr north of Hillrose St And Streets North and East of: Burland Av; Terecita Rd; Terecita Pl; Owens St; Samon Av; Samon Pl; Parsons; Grenoble St; Silverton St; Bellclaire St; Glory Ave; East of Fairgrove Ave; North East of Apperson x Fairgrove Ave If you are unsure about evacuation orders for your area, dial 211 for assistance and information. Evacuation Centers are located at: La Cañada High School (La Cañada Flintridge), Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta), Golden Valley High School (Santa Clarita), Verdugo Hills High School (Tujunga), Marie Kerr Park (Palmdale), Sunland Park (Sunland-Tujunga). Animals are being accepted at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds; Pierce College (horses, donkey and mules only); and Lancaster Animal Shelter and Agoura Animal Shelter (small animals only). --------------------------------------------------------------- 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area.

notes: This afternoon there are several new areas in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Station Fire. While authorities cannot force people to leave their homes in these areas, heeding orders is seriously urged; this afternoon 5 people who opted not to leave Gold Canyon under orders two days ago are now in a situation too dangerous to allow a helicopter rescue. Chantry Flats Acton Area: Soledad Canyon Rd. between Agua Dulce Canyon Rd. and Crown Valley Rd. There is a mandatory evacuation of the area bounded by Soledad Canyon Rd, Aliso Canyon Rd. and Angeles Forest Highway. National Forest: Soledad Canyon Rd./Bootlegger Canyon Rd. Area AND Little Rock Recreation Area Mount Emma Rd. and Cheseboro Rd; and Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Mount Gleason to Angeles Forest Highway; and Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. north of the Little Tujunga Ranger Station and Gold Creek. La Crescenta: Vicinity of Rosemont, La Crescenta, and Ramsdell AND North of Rockdell, Pineridge, Mountain Pine, and Markridge Rd.; all streets north of Rockdell St. between Briggs Av. and Pine Glenn Rd; and all streets located west of Briggs Ave. and east of Pennsylvania Ave., in between Harmony Pl. and the foothills. La Cañada Flintridge: all streets east of Ocean View Blvd. and north of Los Amigos St; all streets north of Jessen Drive and Palm Drive Altadena: All streets north of Loma Alta Dr., located between Lincoln Ave. and Lake Ave; all streets located in "The Meadows" (all streets located above Loma Alta Dr. and west of Lincoln Ave. to Aralia Rd.) Sunland-Tujunga/NE San Fernando Valley: Streets North and East of: Sevenhills Dr; Angeles; Hillhaven Ave; Dos Rios Dr; Lonzo St; Deliban Ave; Amidon Pl; Sevenhills Dr north of Hillrose St And Streets North and East of: Burland Av; Terecita Rd; Terecita Pl; Owens St; Samon Av; Samon Pl; Parsons; Grenoble St; Silverton St; Bellclaire St; Glory Ave; East of Fairgrove Ave; North East of Apperson x Fairgrove Ave If you are unsure about evacuation orders for your area, dial 211 for assistance and information. Evacuation Centers are located at: La Cañada High School (La Cañada Flintridge), Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta), Golden Valley High School (Santa Clarita), Verdugo Hills High School (Tujunga), Marie Kerr Park (Palmdale), Sunland Park (Sunland-Tujunga). Animals are being accepted at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds; Pierce College (horses, donkey and mules only); and Lancaster Animal Shelter and Agoura Animal Shelter (small animals only). --------------------------------------------------------------- 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area. -> Road Closures 9/1/09: The following roads are closed due to the Station Fire: ALL 3 AXLES OR GREATER COMBINATIONS ARE PROHIBITED ON STATE ROUTE 2 LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Angeles Crest Highway between Interstate 210 (in the city of LA Canada) and Angeles Forest Highway Highway 2, north of the La Canada Golf Course Angeles Crest Highway, from La Canada to Clear Creek Junction Highway 14 - off and on ramps that have been closed are: Soledad Canyon in Canyon Country, Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Escondido Canyon, Red Rover Mine Road and Crown Valley Road. Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Placerita Canyon to LA City Boundary Mt. Wilson Rd. from Angeles Crest Hwy. to Mt. Wilson Circle Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy. from Big Tujunga Cyn Rd. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Angeles Forest Hwy. to Angeles Crest Hwy. Video Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Audio Rd. Audio Rd. from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Mt. Wilson Cr. East Fork Rd. from Glendora Ridge Rd. closed to incoming traffic only Red Rover Mine Rd. at Hwy 14 Soledad Canyon Rd. at Crown valley Rd. Escondido Rd. at Hwy 14 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd at Hwy 14 Placerita at Sand Canyon Rd. Big Pines at Hwy 2 Aliso Canyon at Soledad Canyon Rd. Angeles Forest Hwy at Mt. Emma Rd. Red Rover Mine Rd. at Escondido Rd. Aliso Canyon at Ave Y-8 Little Tujunga at Ranger Station Open to Residents Only: Lake Blvd. to JPL and south of Cheyney Tr. For more traffic information, people can phone Caltrans for updates at (800) 427-7623 or visit www.dot.ca.gov -------------------------------------------------- This afternoon there are several new areas in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Station Fire. While authorities cannot force people to leave their homes in these areas, heeding orders is seriously urged; this afternoon 5 people who opted not to leave Gold Canyon under orders two days ago are now in a situation too dangerous to allow a helicopter rescue. Chantry Flats Acton Area: Soledad Canyon Rd. between Agua Dulce Canyon Rd. and Crown Valley Rd. There is a mandatory evacuation of the area bounded by Soledad Canyon Rd, Aliso Canyon Rd. and Angeles Forest Highway. National Forest: Soledad Canyon Rd./Bootlegger Canyon Rd. Area AND Little Rock Recreation Area Mount Emma Rd. and Cheseboro Rd; and Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Mount Gleason to Angeles Forest Highway; and Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. north of the Little Tujunga Ranger Station and Gold Creek. La Crescenta: Vicinity of Rosemont, La Crescenta, and Ramsdell AND North of Rockdell, Pineridge, Mountain Pine, and Markridge Rd.; all streets north of Rockdell St. between Briggs Av. and Pine Glenn Rd; and all streets located west of Briggs Ave. and east of Pennsylvania Ave., in between Harmony Pl. and the foothills. La Cañada Flintridge: all streets east of Ocean View Blvd. and north of Los Amigos St; all streets north of Jessen Drive and Palm Drive Altadena: All streets north of Loma Alta Dr., located between Lincoln Ave. and Lake Ave; all streets located in "The Meadows" (all streets located above Loma Alta Dr. and west of Lincoln Ave. to Aralia Rd.) Sunland-Tujunga/NE San Fernando Valley: Streets North and East of: Sevenhills Dr; Angeles; Hillhaven Ave; Dos Rios Dr; Lonzo St; Deliban Ave; Amidon Pl; Sevenhills Dr north of Hillrose St And Streets North and East of: Burland Av; Terecita Rd; Terecita Pl; Owens St; Samon Av; Samon Pl; Parsons; Grenoble St; Silverton St; Bellclaire St; Glory Ave; East of Fairgrove Ave; North East of Apperson x Fairgrove Ave If you are unsure about evacuation orders for your area, dial 211 for assistance and information. Evacuation Centers are located at: La Cañada High School (La Cañada Flintridge), Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta), Golden Valley High School (Santa Clarita), Verdugo Hills High School (Tujunga), Marie Kerr Park (Palmdale), Sunland Park (Sunland-Tujunga). Animals are being accepted at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds; Pierce College (horses, donkey and mules only); and Lancaster Animal Shelter and Agoura Animal Shelter (small animals only). --------------------------------------------------------------- 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area.

notes: 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area. -> This afternoon there are several new areas in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Station Fire. While authorities cannot force people to leave their homes in these areas, heeding orders is seriously urged; this afternoon 5 people who opted not to leave Gold Canyon under orders two days ago are now in a situation too dangerous to allow a helicopter rescue. Chantry Flats Acton Area: Soledad Canyon Rd. between Agua Dulce Canyon Rd. and Crown Valley Rd. There is a mandatory evacuation of the area bounded by Soledad Canyon Rd, Aliso Canyon Rd. and Angeles Forest Highway. National Forest: Soledad Canyon Rd./Bootlegger Canyon Rd. Area AND Little Rock Recreation Area Mount Emma Rd. and Cheseboro Rd; and Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. from Mount Gleason to Angeles Forest Highway; and Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. north of the Little Tujunga Ranger Station and Gold Creek. La Crescenta: Vicinity of Rosemont, La Crescenta, and Ramsdell AND North of Rockdell, Pineridge, Mountain Pine, and Markridge Rd.; all streets north of Rockdell St. between Briggs Av. and Pine Glenn Rd; and all streets located west of Briggs Ave. and east of Pennsylvania Ave., in between Harmony Pl. and the foothills. La Cañada Flintridge: all streets east of Ocean View Blvd. and north of Los Amigos St; all streets north of Jessen Drive and Palm Drive Altadena: All streets north of Loma Alta Dr., located between Lincoln Ave. and Lake Ave; all streets located in "The Meadows" (all streets located above Loma Alta Dr. and west of Lincoln Ave. to Aralia Rd.) Sunland-Tujunga/NE San Fernando Valley: Streets North and East of: Sevenhills Dr; Angeles; Hillhaven Ave; Dos Rios Dr; Lonzo St; Deliban Ave; Amidon Pl; Sevenhills Dr north of Hillrose St And Streets North and East of: Burland Av; Terecita Rd; Terecita Pl; Owens St; Samon Av; Samon Pl; Parsons; Grenoble St; Silverton St; Bellclaire St; Glory Ave; East of Fairgrove Ave; North East of Apperson x Fairgrove Ave If you are unsure about evacuation orders for your area, dial 211 for assistance and information. Evacuation Centers are located at: La Cañada High School (La Cañada Flintridge), Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta), Golden Valley High School (Santa Clarita), Verdugo Hills High School (Tujunga), Marie Kerr Park (Palmdale), Sunland Park (Sunland-Tujunga). Animals are being accepted at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds; Pierce College (horses, donkey and mules only); and Lancaster Animal Shelter and Agoura Animal Shelter (small animals only). --------------------------------------------------------------- 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area.

notes: SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area. -> 'On the Ground' Report from Citizen Action Team Volunteer Leslie Teltoe - 10:26 pm 8/29/09: The Station Wildfire started at 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 26th, 2009 at Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles north of USFS Angeles Crest Station in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County California. As of the evening of August 29th, 2009, it has scorched more than 9 square miles of forest (over 20,000 acres), 3-5 homes have been a complete loss and approximately 25 log cabin homes were destroyed by flames in Big Tujunga Canyon and thousands more are threatened. The fire has gone from 5% containment to 0% containment. Projections for full containment is as far out as Sept. 8th, 2009. There have been 3 reported burn injuries suffered by residents defending their homes. Ten thousand residents are on both voluntary and mandatory evacuations in the communities of La Canada-Flintridge, Big Tujunga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale. The fire has a good 20 mile front and is currently headed in the direction of Acton and a small part of Santa Clarita. Three shelters have been opened and several pet shelters have been made available to evacuees for their pets and livestock. There are only 750 fire personell on this fire, which is stretching thin the progress they are able to make with a multitude of other fires blazing across the state of California. Citizen Action Team activated it's response to the Station Wildfire immediately by making contact with local first response agencies and organizations to provide aid, support and coordination wherever needed. After being on standby for a couple days, we were called to action to assist in coordinating horse trailer transport for mandatory evacuations when the blaze jumped Big Tujunga Canyon endangering the many residents with large animals. The Hansen Dam Equestrian Center was quickly filled to capacity and the overflow was transferred to Pierce College in Woodland Hills where they are able to take on up to 200 horses. A long lost of ranchers, animal rescue and community stakeholders continues to be on the ready to assist with any additional animal evacuations if the county asks for our support again. The San Fernando Valley Long Term Recovery Group local volunteers (serving folks from the Sayre/Marek fires of last year), and a number of other volunteers and local first response partners will remain on call and will respond to supporting firefighters with food and drink supplies if the need arises. With county budgets stretched thin, it is our priority to make certain they are well fed, hydrated and able to continue to battle this wildfire to the best of their abilities. After visiting the Command Post last night at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, we've discovered this afternoon that the already bustling, efficient and well equipped site has more than tripled in size and activity. City entities are are ready to be called on once the fire crosses over from county to city lines. It's going to be a lonnng hot night folks! -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area.

notes: ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area. -> SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/evacuations-in-altadena-and-big-tujunga-canyon-officials-deal-with-two-burn-victims.html Evacuations in Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon; two people treated for burns August 29, 2009 | 3:41 pm The Station fire was spreading rapidly to the east and west this afternoon, prompting evacuations in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena and Big Tujunga Canyon as temperatures reached triple digits. Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher Melanie Flores told The Times that two people were being treated for burns at the Big Tujunga ranger station, though more details were not immediately available. The Station fire has now burned more than 20,000 acres, according to fire officials. The latest evacuation zone is in the remote upper reaches of Big Tujunga Canyon near the ranger station, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Glendale also ordered evacuations north of Santa Carlotta Street between Pennsylvania and Lowell avenues. The city of Pasadena advised residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwest of the city to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Temperatures topping 100 degrees, single-digit humidity and the steep, rugged topography of the Angeles National Forest continue to make the fire a formidable foe despite low winds, fire officials said today. "All of a sudden, it flared up," said Bruce Quintelier, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Earlier this morning the flames were creeping through canyons and hillsides. The flames are beginning to approach homes in both La Cañada Flintridge near Highway 2 and the Meadows neighborhood between two canyons on the northwestern tip of Altadena. Massive and ominous-looking smoke plumes continue to envelop the area and have made for poor air quality, falling ash and smoky odors in the nearest communities, the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles. Outside the fire command post today at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace, the air is so choked with smoke that it resembles a London fog of decades ago. Literally adding fuel to the fire is 20- to 30-foot-high brush that has not burned in 60 years, said Mike Dietrich, incident commander from the Forest Service. "If there’s a silver lining, there are no Santa Ana winds expected at this time,” Dietrich said. The latest mandatory evacuation zones include scores of homes in Altadena, including the Meadows neighborhood between El Prieto Canyon and Millard Canyon. Among the streets included are Canyon Crest, Rising Hill and Aralia roads. In La Cañada Flintridge, evacuated areas include neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city closest to the Angeles Crest Highway, generally from La Cañada Boulevard to the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. More than 2,000 homes and 52 other structures are threatened in the La Cañada Flintridge area. Fire has burned right up to homes, but no structures have been destroyed. About 750 firefighters are deployed. One suffered minor heat-related injuries and was hospitalized overnight. He is expected to be released today. Today, the priority for firefighters is the so-called front country, the area closest to homes. Firefighters are attacking it with air tankers and shovels. Super Scooper planes are not expected until Thursday -- welcome but not essential, fire officials said. “Super Scoopers are just another tool in the toolbox. If they’re available, we’ll take advantage of it,” said Dietrich. Firefighters are also keeping an eye on Mt. Wilson, which is six to eight miles east of the fire. “That’s several days out. It gives us an opportunity to prepare and defend the Mt. Wilson site,” said L.A. County Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Powers, an incident commander. As evacuations widen, residents along foothill communities are on edge. One leg of the fire was moving southeast toward Altadena. Another leg was moving north, and officials said they are trying to prevent it from getting to the communications centers at Mt. Wilson. A western leg was moving toward Big Tujunga Canyon. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for scores of homes in the area of the La Cañada Flintridge Golf Course. The orders include Starlight Crest Drive, Greenridge Drive, Forest Green Drive and Ridge Court, said Sgt. Daniel Stanley of the county Sheriff’s Department. The communities are east of the Angeles Crest Highway. Residents were asked to assemble their families and leave the area. An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, at 4463 Oak Grove Drive, where the Red Cross will assist evacuees. Donna Robinson, 60, has been preparing to be evacuated since Wednesday, packing up documents, clothes and baby dish mementos of her adult children. She also packed up two dogs and three cats. “I’m not even afraid now. I think it's good we're just out of the house. Now I feel it's not under my control,” said Robinson as she sat with her husband, Paul, 57, outside the gym of La Cañada High. This morning, residents began to slowly stream into the high school. The worry was evident on Sonia Castellon's face as she made her way into the makeshift evacuation center. "I was trying to keep calm, keep it together. But the moment you leave your home it's hard," the 46-year-old dentist said as she began to tear up. Castellon said she had packed a large amount of valuables throughout the day just in case, because the fire was getting worse near her Greenridge Drive home. She packed away pictures, jewelry, cash, and discs and cards with family memories -- things that cannot be replaced. "We had two hours from when they called, and it was already after 11 [p.m.] when we got the call. I'm scared of not having a house when we go back." Having to evacuate was especially tough for Castellon's daughter, Carla Torres. They were in the midst of preparing for her sweet 16 birthday party. Although she hopes the party at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in Burbank offers a temporary relief, Carla said she hadn't envisioned herself waking up on her birthday at her high school. "It's really scary right now," Carla said. In all, nearly 10,000 acres had burned in the four major Southern California fires by Friday evening. In addition to those wildfires, two separate blazes scorched about 1,000 acres in sprawling Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Neither fire threatened structures. An air assault through the night helped bring the Palos Verdes Peninsula fire under 90% containment. Expensive homes in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes had been threatened, with flames lapping at the eaves of some residences. The blaze consumed 230 acres. In steep terrain above Hemet, a San Bernardino National Forest wildfire was just 10% contained but was not posing an immediate threat to structures, although 2,200 acres had burned. A mandatory evacuation order in the Willowbrook Road area was lifted, but voluntary evacuation advisories remained for Bee Canyon. The Morris fire, which started five miles north of Azusa near San Gabriel Canyon Road, blackened more than 2,000 acres and was 85% contained, officials said. The fire was burning in mostly open mountain country, but voluntary evacuations were in effect for the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people to avoid outdoor activities. Air quality deteriorated throughout the day as temperatures climbed, becoming unhealthful in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as in parts of the San Fernando Valley. ========================================= ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area.

name: Station Wildfire, Index (Road Closures/Evac Updates) -> Station Wildfire, Index (Road Closures/Evac Updates/Media Reports)
notes: Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area. -> ONLINE NEWS: CBS/K-Cal 9 News: http://cbs2.com/ ABC 7 Eyewitness News: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Pasadena Star News: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ ---------------------------------------- Aug 29, 2009 8:59 am US/Pacific FireWatch: Information You Need, Evacuations The Station Fire Officials said the fire has burned about 5,500 acres. The fire is 5 percent contained. One firefighter was reportedly injured. Mandatory evacuations for more than 500 homes on north of Vista del Valle Road, East of La Canada Blvd. and extending into La Canada Country Club area. Friday evening, officials added the Angeles Crest Highway north of Starlight Crest, as well as the Green Ridge, Forest Green and Bay Tree areas. Fire officials ordered evacuations along Big Briar Way, off Haskell Street, and along La Canada Boulevard north of El Vago Street for: -- Donna Maria Lane, -- Indian Drive, -- Alta Canyada Road north of El Vago Street, -- Hacienda Drive, -- Linda Vista Drive, -- and Alta Canyada Road north of Linda Vista Drive. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada. The fire crossed Highway 2 and is now in the Arroyo Seco area.