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.
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.
