Sierra Madre and Monrovia Prepare for Possible Fire Activity
By Monrovia Weekly
Published: Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
Nervous Foothill Communities Waste No Time Cutting Breaks and Clearing Brush
As the Station Fire continues to consume the Angeles National Forest, nervous residents in local foothill cities are hoping the fire continues on the northerly path, away from homes and communities such as Sierra Madre. While witnessing a huge plume of smoke (the origin of which actually is far away from Sierra Madre) and Erickson Crane Heli-tankers flying over the city every five to ten minutes, it’s not unusual to see people looking to the mountains with hope and fear in their eyes. The helicopters are actually on their trek to Monrovia for Phos-Chek refills slated for drops in Tujunga and Points further West and not Sierra Madre.
Fire crews from Albuquerque, New Mexico raced to make fire breaks in the hills above Sierra Madre as did similar crews in Monrovia. The crews in Sierra Madre made considerable strides with the help of the 20-man Native American crew from Albuquerque as they cut a path to stop fire in its track above the Mater DeLa Rosa Retreat center in Sierra Madre.
Meanwhile Hot Shots from Arizona were busy battling dry brush from the mountain sides to protect homes that are a potential target in the event of fire. With the heat approaching 100 degrees, these men and women were furiously cutting back foliage and brush from homes that have been vacant for a few years in the hills to the east of the Passionist’s Retreat.
Dick Singer, Public Information Officer for the City of Monrovia said that city workers were on alert in case of the fire moving toward the city. “We will know within 24 hours if the fire will reach Monrovia,” said Singer. If so, city officials believe that is will arrive no earlier than Friday. If the fire reaches Sierra Madre, the city will activate its Emergency Operations Center.
Singer also said that they are “optimistic” due to brush clearance programs that have been in place for the last few months and efforts of hands crews training out of the Wilderness Preserve Fire Station. Bulldozers have been operating out from Chantry Flats, starting on Tuesday to cut lines through the brush in order to impede a potentially approaching fire line. Both cities say they are confident that they have resources and plans to deal with any potential threat this fire may bring to the foothills.
By Terry Miller
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