A Santa Anita Fire Fund has been set up with the Sierra Madre Community Foundation to help the City pay for the cost of fighting the Santa Anita Fire. If you would like to donate, click here to download the form and mail it with your donation to:

SIERRA MADRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
PO Box 716, Sierra Madre, CA 91025
Checks should be made out to SMCF/CCF with "Santa Anita Fire Fund" in the memo.

-->> Archive: Fire and Mudslide Updates

ARCHIVE: FIRE AND MUDSLIDE UPDATES
(In Reverse Chronological Order - Most Recent Updates to Oldest)

5-23-2008 Mudslide Alert Update 5:20 PM

• All roads have now been re-opened.
• The City Council has declared a local state of emergency.
• The Mount Wilson Trail Race has been postponed. Date to be determined.
• FILLED sandbags are available at City Yards. Go to the south gate by the Rose Float Building.
• Bailey Canyon and Mount Wilson Trails remain closed.
• Santa Anita Canyon Road north of the Chantry Gate is closed. The Chantry Gate will remain locked except for residential access.

5-23-2008 Mudslide Alert Update 1:05 PM

The City Council has declared a local state of emergency.

5-23-2008 Mudslide Alert Update 12:20 PM

The Mount Wilson Trail Race has been postponed. Date to be determined.

FILLED sandbags are available at City Yards.

5-23-2008 Mudslide Alert Update 12 Noon

City Council will be holding an emergency meeting today, May 23, 2008 at 1:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Voluntary evacuation & road closures are still in effect until further notice on Skyland, north of Idlehour; and Woodland.

Bailey Canyon and Mount Wilson Trails remain closed.

Santa Anita Canyon Road north of the Chantry Gate is closed. The Chantry Gate will remain locked except for residential access.

Sand and sand bags are available at the City Yards. Go to the south gate by the Rose Float Building.

Bags only are available at the Fire Department.

5-22-08 Mudslide Alert 5:30 pm:
The City has received numerous reports of mud sliding down on Skyland Drive and Woodland Drive.

Public Works has made sand and sand bags available at Mary Market's and the Public Works Yard.

There are voluntary evacuations of residents on Skyland, North of Idle Hour. There also voluntary evacuations on Woodland, North of Mary's Market.

The Sierra Vista Park at 611 East Sierra Madre Blvd has been opened as an evacuation center.

5-22-08 Rain Preparations
Sand and sand bags are available at Mary's Market and at the City Yard. We have sand and sand bags, but residents need to be able to fill the bags. Emergency personnel, Police, Fire, and Public Work's crews are on standby in case of emergency.

Mount Wilson Trail is closed because of possible rain forecasted for Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23. The trail could become slippery and unstable because of the loss of vegetation due to the Santa Anita Fire.

Santa Anita Fire - Final Update
May 2, 2008

Fire Status: Contained
Location: City of Sierra Madre foothills
Acres Burned: 584
Cause: Under Investigation

Percent Contained: 100%
Date Started: April 26, 2007 (3:00pm)
Full Containment Expected: Friday, May 2, 2008
Injuries: 5 Minor

Resources:
Hand crews 2 Engines 2
Helicopters 0 Water Tenders 0
Air Tankers 0 Dozers 0

Total personnel assigned to fire: 89

The Santa Anita Fire is now 100% contained. Firefighters completed a fire line around the fire yesterday, and ensured that a 200 foot swath tinside that line was cold to the touch. Most of the crews and engines have already departed; fire camp at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area will disappear shortly. Two crew and two engines from the Angeles NF will patrol the fire area throughout the weekend.

Members of the Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 would like to sincerely thank the citizens and businesses of the City of Sierra Madre, governement cooperators and all those supported us with their care and concern in suppressing the fire so successfully.

The Santa Anita Fire started on Saturday April 26, 2008 at approximately 3:00pm in the foothills of City of Sierra Madre located adjacent to the Angeles National Forest. The fire spread quickly upslope in both a northwesterly and northeasterly direction due to warm temperatures, wind and low humidity. On Sunday April 27, 2008 Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the fire. The fire's management was returned to the Angeles National Forest on May 2, 2008.

Evacuations: none

Trail Closures:
- All trails on the Angeles NF are now open
- All trails in the City of Sierra Madre remain closed until further notice

Incident Priorities:
- To provide for public and firefighter safety.
- Be sensitive to the concerns of the public and communities at risk and keep them informed.
- Protect threatened and endangered species.
- Fiscal responsibility will be factored into fire line decision making

Agencies Involved:
US Forest Service (USFS), City of Sierra Madre Fire Department, California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal-Fire), City of Sierra Madre Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3
Dave Fiorella & Steve Heydorff
Unified Incident Commanders

• Fire has burned 584 acres / 93 % containment
• All Schools are re-opened
• All evacuated areas, including the Chantry Flat area, have been re-opened without restrictions.

The Angeles National Forest Fire Information Center will close tonight at 8:00 p.m.

Beginning Thursday, May 1, 2008, fire information will be available during regular business hours, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., by calling 626-574-5208.

SMTV3 will begin regular programming at noon today.

Santa Anita Fire Update
May 1, 2008
On Scene Contact: Marc Peebles, PIO SCIIMT #3
626-821-6700

Fire Status: Active
Location: City of Sierra Madre foothills
Acres Burned: 584
Cause: Under Investigation
Percent Contained: 93%
Date Started: April 26, 2007 (3:00pm)
Full Containment Expected: Friday, May 2
Injuries: 4 Minor

Resources:
Hand crews 14
Engines 11
Helicopters 4
Water Tenders 1
Air Tankers 0
Dozers 0

Total personnel assigned to fire: 419

The Santa Anita Fire started on Saturday April 26, 2008 at approximately 3:00pm in the foothills of City of Sierra Madre located adjacent to the Angeles National Forest. The fire spread quickly upslope in both a northwesterly and northeasterly direction due to warm temperatures, wind and low humidity. On Sunday April 27, 2008 Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the fire.

The heavy marine layer that remained throughout Wednesday allowed firefighters to build more fireline and extinguish more hot spots. Mop-up activities are well underway, and the job of rehabilitating where the fire is cold has begun. Firefighters are expected to complete the containment line around the perimeter of the fire on May 2nd. Still, residents may continue to see fire and smell smoke from the interior of this fire for several days.

Evacuations: none

Trail Closures:
- All trails on the Angeles NF are now open
- All trails in the City of Sierra Madre remain closed until further notice

Incident Priorities:
- To provide for public and firefighter safety.
- Be sensitive to the concerns of the public and communities at risk and keep them informed.
- Protect threatened and endangered species.
- Fiscal responsibility will be factored into fire line decision making

Weather, Fire Behavior and Smoke Conditions:
A high pressure system will bring warmer and drier weather to the area today. Winds are expected to be somewhat stronger today than yesterday, with possible gusts approaching 20 MPH. Temperatures will be several degrees warmer, and relative humidity readings will be slightly lower today.

Agencies Involved:
US Forest Service (USFS), City of Sierra Madre Fire Department, California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal-Fire), City of Sierra Madre Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 8:00 a.m. PST

• All evacuation orders, for Sierra Madre residents only, were lifted as of 12 pm on Tuesday, April 29th.
• As of 6 am today, April 30th, all evacuation orders are lifted in Sierra Madre. Except for Chantry Flats, Bailey Canyon Park and Mount Wilson Trail, which are closed until further notice.
• The Sierra Madre Community Center and Youth Activity Center have reopened. The pool is closed until Saturday.
• All schools are back in session.
• Fire Containment is estimated at 88%
• Current weather conditions are favorable, with low wind speed, lower temperatures, and humidity at 30%, predicted.
• Estimated full containment on Friday, May 2nd.
• Acreage is estimated at 584 acres.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 6:00 a.m. PST

The Santa Anita Fire has burned 584 acres north of Sierra Madre, CA. Approximately 238 acres are on National Forest System land within the Angeles National Forest, and 346 acres are within the corporate boundary of the City of Sierra Madre.

The fire is currently 88% contained.

All evacuations in the City of Sierra Madre have been lifted - all schools are back in session.

Fire Update, Tuesday, 4-29-08, 11:30 a.m.

Acres burned have increased to 583 acres.

Fire Update, Tuesday, 4-29-08, 12:45 p.m.

Evacuation restrictions are scheduled to be lifted as of 12noon on Tuesday, April 29. At this time people with proof of residency will be allowed back into the evacuation areas. Road blocks are scheduled to be removed as of 6:00 am on Wednesday, April 30.

Acres burned have increased to 583 acres.

Fire Update, Tuesday, 4-29-08, 10:30 a.m.

Questions about the Santa Anita Fire? Call 626.821.6700, Southern California Interagency Team, Area 3 or INCIWeb.org.
- There are 1055 firefighters working on the Santa Anita Fire.
- 150 homes are still evacuated.
- The fire is 57% contained, expecting full containment May 2nd.

Fire currently concentrated in the north.

The Community Recreation Center will be closed, Tuesday, April 29, 2008.

There is a smoke advisory:
- stay indoors, including pets
- keep doors and windows closed
- check air filters
- if outdoors, reduce physical activity.

Update, Monday, 4-28-08, 7:25 p.m.
Sierra Madre residents east of Baldwin (including the canyon) will most likely be able to go home after 8:00 this evening with proof of residency.

Update, Monday, 4-28-08, 5:50 p.m.
Current acres: 538 with 21% containment
(containment is going down b/c the fire is growing)

Update, Monday, 4-28-08, 4:30 p.m.
SM Community Nursery School, YAC and YMCA will not be open tomorrow.

Update, Monday, 4-28-08, 3:53 p.m.
All the private schools will be closed again tomorrow. Sierra Madre School (both campuses) will reopen.

Fire Update, Monday, 4-28-08, 11:40 a.m.
As of 1400 hours (2:00 pm) Fire Officials are hoping to be able to let people living east of Camillo back into their homes.

The evacuation area has been expanded westward from Carter and Lima all the way to Michillinda. It is mandatory that anyone north of this area be evacuated. Click Here to view map of evacuation areas as of Monday, April 28, at 8 pm. Evacuation areas may change as the fire changes. Continue to check with the Santa Anita Fire Information line 626-821-6700, and online information at INCIWeb.org

Road blocks are now set up from on Grandview from Michillinda to Camillo.

20% of Time Warner Customers are without cable (most likely the same people without power who have been evacuated)

Postal service for the evacuation areas will be delivered to the Sierra Madre Post Office.

Senior lunches will be at normal time today.

Trash Services is resuming as normal

Sierra Madre, CA. April 28, 2008, 7:30 a.m. PST-

Background
The Santa Anita Fire began on Saturday, April 26th at approximately 3:00 p.m. and has currently burned 490 acres of wildland urban interface. The only structure damaged at this time is a small out building off of Lotus Lane.

Four firefighters have been injured, one was stung by a bee Saturday afternoon, one strained his knee working in the steep terrain Sunday morning, and two suffered from heat exhaustion.

The fire is 23% contained and is looking at 5-7 days for full containment.

Approximately 1000 people have been evacuated from Oak Crest Drive across Carter Avenue to East Mira Monte Avenue, continuing down Mountain Trail Avenue, across Grandview Avenue to Santa Anita Avenue. No new evacuations have been ordered; however, early this morning police and sheriff increased movements to evacuate people from their homes. Incident commanders will reevaluate when people can go back to their homes at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2008.

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Hart Park House, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. The number for the American Red Cross is 626-799-0841 x270.

The Sierra Madre City Council held an emergency meeting at 12:10 a.m. on Sunday, April 27th to declare the City in a state of emergency.

Air support began again Sunday morning at approximately 6:30 am. We anticipate having 3 helicopters, 3 air tankers, and over 580 firefighters on the ground. There are over 100 logistics people assisting with relief efforts.

The difficulty of this fire is the terrain which is steep and difficult to access. Additionally, some of these areas have not burned in over 40 years. So far, the weather has been on our side, and although there will still be intense heat today, we expect little wind and rising humidity.

A wedding party for Ken and Julie Grady consisting of 45 people and 4 pets were asked to shelter in place at Sturtevant Camp; the party was safely evacuated Sunday morning. The party had driven up Saturday night to camp and celebrate the nuptials. Sierra Madre Search and Rescue lead the evacuation operation coordinating with LA County Sheriffs. It took five helicopter trips to take the party back to their cars at the Chantry Flats Ranger Station where Los Angeles County Sheriffs escorted everyone back down the mountain safely. There were no reported injuries during this operation.

All Sierra Madre schools, public and private, will be closed on Monday, April 28, 2008. These schools include: Alverno High School, The Gooden School, Bethany Christian School, Saint Rita Elementary, both campus of Sierra Madre School, and Sierra Madre Community Nursery School.

Evacuations are to remain in place. Incident commanders will reevaluate letting people back into their homes at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2008. Incident commanders will continually evaluate the safety of residents’ return. Incident commanders are sensitive that evacuations are a stressful and inconvenient event; we thank the public for the patience and understanding as firefighters work to contain the fire as public safety is our top priority.

At 6:00 p.m. (1800 hours) PST on Sunday, April 27, 2008 the Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 will assume command of the Santa Anita Fire in Sierra Madre, California. The on-scene media contact will be Marc Peebles, PIO SCIIMT3, 626-821-6700. The media center will be located at the USDA Forest Service, Angeles National Forest at 701 N. Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia, California. The Santa Anita Fire information line is 626-821-6700. Online information available at INCIWeb.org.

The Santa Anita Fire is reported to be 23% contained, 490 acres have burned. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. No homes have been lost. Power is out in the upper canyon.

We are asking residents and visitors to stay off the streets, keep areas clear for fire department access and to stay attentive. Immediate updates can be found on cityofsierramadre.com and SMTV3, channel 3 on Time Warner.

Congressman Dreier is coming for the planning meeting with the Incident Commanders at 10:00 a.m. to give his support and get more information on the fires.