Station Fire Update Sept. 20, 2009
Incident: Station Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/20/2009
Due to increased temperatures, wind, and a decrease in humidity, aircraft, including 4 heavy helitankers, are working to extinguish remaining interior hotspots. In addition, a tactical water tender equipped with fire retardant has been ordered to treat fuels on the north slope of Mt. Wilson.
The remaining hot spots are located in steep and rugged terrain, which is inaccessible by ground crews. These hotspots are located using infrared imagery collected by aerial surveillance. A very small sized hot ember can be detected and mapped and then targeted for water and retardant drops.
Using the helicopters and the tactical water tender will also reduce the risk of embers igniting additional fuels, both prior to and during the anticipated hot, dry and windy weather.
The aerial assault will continue through today and into next week as needed. As a result, residents and visitors may see increased helicopter and ground force activity in the Mt. Wilson area. As with all fire activity, residents may see an increase in smoke and activity in the fire area over the next few days.
A Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) team continues to assess the burn area to determine the current and potential future impacts of the fire.
Fire Name: Station
Geographic Location: Hwy. 2 North of La Canada - Flintridge, CA
Acres Burned: 160,557
Start Date: August 26, 2009
Time: 3:20 p.m.
Percent Contained: 93
Estimated Containment Date: 9/22/09
Cause: Arson
Injuries: 22
Structures Threatened: 100
Commercial Bldgs. Threatened: 50
Residences Destroyed: 89
Residences Damaged: 13
Commercial Prop. Destroyed: 26
Commercial Property Damaged: 22
Outbuildings/Other Destroyed: 94
Outbuildings/Other Damaged: 22
RESOURCES
Approximate Personnel Assigned: 749
Helicopters: 8
Air Tankers: Available
Engines: 27
Hand Crews: 14
Dozers: 26
Cost to Date: $84,505,138
FOREST CLOSURES: Angeles National Forest: An area closure of the southern portion of the Angeles National Forest is in effect until it is determined that it is safe to reopen forest areas. For additional information on the closure, go to www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/
CLOSURES: The Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2) and Highway 39 (Azusa Canyon) remain closed. Roads accessible to residents with ID only are Big Tujunga Canyon, Little Tujunga Canyon, Glendora Mountain Road, and Glendora Ridge Road. Please call the CHP for further information at (323) 982-4900. For information on Little Rock Reservoir, call (661) 533-2424
Cooperators and Agencies Assisting the U.S. Forest Service: Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles City Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, American Red Cross, CAL FIRE, Southern California Edison, Office of Emergency Services, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Dept of Defense, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the cities of Arcadia, Monrovia and Sierra Madre.
