The Angeles National Forest is reporting that the Station fire has now burned 42,500 acres. It is 5% contained and is being fought by 2,575 personnel. There have been at least two firefighter fatalities and four injuries.
The fire was extremely active Sunday afternoon. During most of the day smoke conditions made it very difficult and at times impossible for air tankers and helicopters to operate over the fire. Air tankers were able to “paint” some of the area around Mt. Wilson with fire retardant at times when they could navigate through or around the smoke. The fire is now burning close to the peak which houses hundreds of communication sites for the Los Angeles area.
Local residents are being advised to call 211 to get the latest evacuation information.
The weather on Sunday contributed to the rapid fire spread, with the temperature at the nearby Little Tujunga Forest Service station reaching 101 degrees, while the relative humidity bottomed out at 10% at 2 p.m. Similar weather, including an extension of the red flag warning, is expected for Monday.
Mt. Wilson at 8:20 p.m. PT, August 30, 2009. Webcam of UCLA Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
At a press conference on Sunday officials announced that 18 structures have been destroyed by the fire, adding that the number will probably grow as firefighters work their way back into the burned areas and assess the damage.
I grew up in La Canada, and lived on the border of the ANF right below Mt Lukins. We had several fires in the 60′s come down the hill. I can remember LACO fire and USFS engines in my driveway!and borate B-17′s droping in my back yard. I guess that has a lot do to with what I do for a living. I have many friends that are currently evacuated including my mother!. All is well though so far, as they are all at Starbucks watching the show!My thoughts and pryes go out to the two LACO firemen that lost thier life.