Residents in parts of Arcadia and Sierra Madre were ordered to evacuate Sunday due to the Bobcat Fire, which burned downhill toward communities in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, after firefighters worked overnight to keep flames from threatening other populated areas that remained under evacuation warnings.
At about 10 a.m., officials ordered all residents north of Elkins Avenue and east of Santa Anita Avenue to evacuate. They were advised to use Santa Anita Avenue to leave the area.
A Red Cross evacuation center was established at Santa Anita Race Track, located at 285 W. Huntington Drive. Residents were advised to enter through Gate 5. More information about the center was available at 1-800-RED- CROSS (733-2767).
Evacuation warnings were in effect for Monrovia, Bradbury, Sierra Madre, Altadena, Duarte and Pasadena. An evacuation order was also issued for Camp Williams.
Police in Sierra Madre said a total of 32 homes were affected by the evacuation order in that city.
Arcadia police assisted with evacuations in that city.
The city of Arcadia tweeted to residents that multiple strike teams of firefighters were positioned through the north end of the city and will continuously patrol and watch the wildland interface. Officials said the Arcadia Police Department is providing security in the evacuated areas.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said she has signed a proclamation declaring a local emergency in the county because of the fire and requested a state proclamation.
The Bobcat Fire had burned 31,991 acres in the Angeles National Forest and was 6% contained Sunday, with full containment not estimated until Oct. 30, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Officials had earlier estimated full containment by Oct. 15, but revised that date on Sunday.
Pasadena officials urged residents to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, while officials from multiple foothill communities reminded residents that it is illegal to fly drones over the fire area.
The Pasadena Humane Society said animal control workers would be stationed at the Red Cross evacuation zone to assist with the transport of displaced pets back to the Pasadena Humane shelter.
The blaze burned downhill overnight toward Monrovia and north toward State Route 2 in the Buckhorn Area, with “significant” western growth toward Mt. Wilson, Angeles National Forest officials reported.
“The BobcatFire is most active near Big Santa Anita Canyon. Crews, supported by aircraft, will engage in strategic firing along the SW edge of the fire. Smoke will clear out earlier than previous days, increasing fire activity,” they tweeted Sunday morning.
Officials said that as air conditions allow, helicopters were being used to support ground forces, and that Sunday’s focus would be on keeping the fire south of Highway 2 and west of Highway 39.
On the south end, the fire reached Santa Anita Canyon near Chantry Flat and remained active overnight
Abnormally dry fuels were leading to extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of spread.
Angeles Crest Highway 2 was closed from Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road to Big Pines, Highway 39 was closed at Old San Gabriel Canyon Road, and Glendora Ridge Road, Glendora Mountain Road, and Mount Wilson Road were closed.
A smoke advisory was extended through Monday in most of Los Angeles County and parts of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, as the fire spews smoke and ash into the atmosphere, creating unhealthy conditions.
Congresswoman Judy Chu, D-Los Angeles, issued the following statement on the fire:
“This morning I spoke with Supervisor Jerry Perez, and it was an urgent call considering the fact that over 300 households in northern Arcadia have just been mandated to evacuate.
“He explained that the fire has hooked around towards Arcadia. While this threat is not due to the Santa Anna Winds, the downdraft winds from the fire and dry vegetation have resulted in the fire spreading to nearly 32,000 acres. Because of the difficulty of the deep terrain, the fire is still only 6% contained. The heavy smoke is also making it difficult for airplanes to drop fire retardant,” she said.
“Supervisor Perez said the fire could also hook towards Mt. Wilson, but firefighters have taken many precautions to guard it. Fortunately, they have been allocated more firefighters coming from the El Dorado fire. But the next 24 hours are critical with regards to danger to the foothill communities. Residents need to pay attention to the evacuation order and evacuation warnings,” she said.
On Sunday, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger signed a proclamation to declare a local emergency in Los Angeles as a result of the Bobcat fire located in the San Gabriel Valley.
“The fire poses extreme danger to the persons and property in its immediate vicinity and the emergency proclamation declares that the conditions are or likely to be beyond the control of local resources and will require the additional combined forces to combat, Barger wrote.
“For several days, the brave men and women of the Los Angeles County Fire Department have been battling the Bobcat Fire, working tirelessly with their partners to ensure the protection of life and property, Barger said. “I urge all residents in the affected areas to heed local orders and the direction of emergency personnel. If you are asked to evacuate, please comply for your safety and for the safety of our first responders.”
The proclamation will face a ratification vote at the Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Tuesday.
Los Angeles officials were opening “Smoke Relief Centers” at the following Department of Recreation and Parks sites from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday:
— South LA Sports Activity Center, 7020 S Figueroa St.
— Branford Recreation Center, 13306 Branford St., Arleta
— Lemon Grove Recreation Center, 4959 Lemon Grove Ave.
— Glassell Recreation Center, 3650 Verdugo Road.
Los Angeles County health officials announced that some COVID-19 testing centers would be closed this weekend due to health concerns stemming from the unhealthy air quality.
Testing sites at East L.A. College in Monterey Park, the Pomona Fairplex and San Gabriel Valley Airport in El Monte were closed Saturday and Sunday, while the site at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita will be closed Sunday.
Officials with the Los Angeles Zoo said Saturday that the zoo would be closed Sunday and Monday due to the unhealthy air.
“The Zoo hopes to reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 15, but we will continue to monitor air quality advisories issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and adhere to air quality safety guidance for safely reopening,” officials said.
They added that staff was closely monitoring the animals who reside in outdoor habitats, but based on past fire events in the Los Angeles area, they did not anticipate any air quality issues to affect the animals.
The Bobcat Fire erupted on Sept. 6 near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area.
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