The LA Times has two interesting articles about the Station fire near Los Angeles. One is titled “L.A.’s nature haven, reduced to wasteland”. The other examines the cost of fighting the fire, which to date is $43 million.
The Station fire as seen from Mt. Wilson observatory, 8:22 p.m., Sept. 5The fire again was very active on the southeast flank on Saturday. Firefighters saved 23 recreational cabins near Three Points, east of Chilao early Sunday morning. The fire has burned 157,220 acres making it the tenth largest fire in California in modern history. It is 51% contained.
The firefighter who was exposed to cyanide on Tuesday remains in the hospital, but it is not a life-threatening condition. And the firefighter who fell off a 20-foot cliff on Wednesday and had a possible broken femur, has only a deep bruise and was released from the hospital.
If weather and fire conditions are favorable, today firefighters will use aerial ignition equipment on helicopters to burn out or backfire areas on the southeast side of the fire. They still expect to put in direct line on the fire’s edge in the San Gabriel Wilderness when it can be done safely.
Here is an update from the incident management team on Sunday morning:
Steep and rugged terrain combined with continued warm seasonal temperatures to challenge firefighters on the eastern perimeter of the fire yesterday. Even as crews mopped up and reinforced existing line, they dealt with spotting northeast of Chilao, and significant runs north of Cogswell Dam.
Crews planned on strengthening line and reducing fuel in the Chilao area today. Those plans changed when fire spotted over a dozer line east of Alder Saddle and west of Winston Ridge. As of 5:00 p.m. yesterday the fire remained west of the pushing east from the saddle. The most active fire for the day burned in this area, generating smoke columns for many miles in all directions. As part of a predetermined contingency plan, the incident command opted to dispatch fire and law resources to the community of Juniper Hills. No evacuation were ordered, but it is requested that all residents,especially animal owners, prepare themselves for any possibility in the future.
The area north of Cogswell Dam also generated significant fire during the afternoon hours. Heated southern and western aspects created intensified fire behavior, with significant upslope runs through heavy fuels. Hotshot crews, inserted with the intent to directly attack the fire, pulled back to safety with the increase in activity.
Thanks Dick
