Bobcat Fire Explodes To Nearly 24,000 Acres; 0% Containment

MONROVIA, CA — The Bobcat Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest exploded to 23,890 acres Thursday and was 0% contained as multiple San Gabriel Valley foothill communities remained under evacuation warnings.

There are more than 532 firefighters currently in the fight to contain the Bobcat Fire. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that the fire — which broke out at midday Sunday near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area — will not be contained until Oct. 15.

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The fire was moving in a northeasterly direction Thursday morning, and more than 530 firefighters were working to extinguish the flames, according to the Forest Service. No structural damage or injuries have been reported.

On Wednesday, the USFS reported that offshore winds pushed the fire east and across Highway 39. Air tankers, including a DC-10, "were able to make several drops of fire retardant on the southwest portion of the fire to reinforce and strengthen previously applied fire lines. Several more resources arrived at the fire late (Wednesday), including a sky crane helicopter and two more hotshot crews," the Forest Service reported.

Although a Red Flag Warning for the area is no longer in effect, winds were expected to blow about 5-15 mph on Thursday, with gusts up to 25 mph, and officials were concerned that the winds could shift in direction, pushing the fire toward the foothill communities.

"Priority is to contain the south end of the fire in anticipation of Santa Ana winds," the Forest Service reported.

Evacuation warnings remain in effect in the foothill communities of Duarte, Bradbury, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Pasadena, Altadena and Arcadia.

A "voluntary evacuation suggestion" by the city of Arcadia for residents north of Foothill Boulevard and east of Santa Anita Avenue was lifted about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday by city officials, who said the fire had "generally progressed away from" Arcadia.

Evacuations were previously ordered for residents and Angeles National Forest visitors from Big Santa Anita Canyon, Mt. Wilson, San Gabriel Canyon and Monrovia Canyon, but by Wednesday evening no evacuation orders were in effect, according to the Forest Service.

A smoke advisory was extended to Thursday afternoon for most of Los Angeles County and parts of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The South Coast Air Quality Management District warned of unhealthy air quality in the San Gabriel Mountains, the east San Gabriel Valley and Pomona-Walnut Valley.

The American Red Cross established a temporary evacuation point Tuesday at Santa Anita Park for anyone affected by the fire.

Shelter for large animals was available at Fairplex in Pomona and Santa Anita Park. Anyone needing to board their horses at Fairplex should call Fairplex Security at 909-865-4600. Trailers should enter the grounds at Gate 12 at 2201 White Ave., Fairplex director of communications Renee Hernandez said.

Owners will need to provide food, water and bedding for horses and must adhere to social distancing protocols and wear masks. Fairplex has enough stables to board 300 horses, and stables are spaced to assist with social distancing, Hernandez said.

The Angeles National Forest, along with all 18 national forests in California, were closed Wednesday until further notice, the U.S. Forest Service announced.

"The wildfire situation throughout California is dangerous and must be taken seriously," Randy Moore, regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Region, said Monday. "Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior, new fire starts are likely, weather conditions are worsening, and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire."

The Glendale (2) Freeway was closed from 10.6 miles east of La Canada- Flintridge to Islip Saddle. Highway 39 was closed at Canyon Entrance Station.

Firefighters focused overnight and Wednesday "on the southern area of the fire to take advantage of the favorable wind direction and protect foothill communities," according to a statement from the U.S. Forest Service, which added offshore winds pushed the fire east and across Highway 39.

"Overnight, fire crews saw heavy activity in the northeastern portion of the fire towards Crystal Lake," officials said. "Aside from fire growth in the northeast, fire behavior remained moderate with active runs and spotting. On the west side near the West Fork drainage, the fire is making its way into an old burn scar creating less intense fire behavior for fire crews."

The focus for fire crews is to take advantage of favorable wind conditions to protect the foothill communities, which remains a priority, officials said. Fire officials will transition to a Type 1 incident management team Thursday to allow greater access to additional fire and overhead resources.

"Local fire departments will continue to conduct structure protection planning and triage efforts within the foothill communities," officials said.

Air tankers, including a DC-10, "were able to make several drops of fire retardant on the southwest portion of the fire to reinforce and strengthen previously applied fire lines. Several more resources arrived at the fire late (Wednesday), including a sky crane helicopter and two more hotshot crews," the Forest Service said. A total of 652 personnel were assigned to the fire.

Evacuations were previously ordered for residents and Angeles National Forest visitors from Big Santa Anita Canyon, Mt. Wilson, San Gabriel Canyon and Monrovia Canyon, but by Wednesday evening no evacuation orders were in effect, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

A smoke advisory was extended to Thursday afternoon for most of Los Angeles County and parts of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District warned of unhealthy air quality in the San Gabriel Mountains, the east San Gabriel Valley and Pomona-Walnut Valley.

The Forest Service estimates that the fire Z — which broke out at midday Sunday near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area — will not be contained until Oct. 15.

The Red Cross established a temporary evacuation point Tuesday at Santa Anita Park for anyone affected by the Bobcat Fire.

Shelter for large animals was available at Fairplex in Pomona and Santa Anita Park. Anyone needing to board their horses at Fairplex should call Fairplex Security at 909-865-4600. Trailers should enter the grounds at Gate 12 at 2201 White Ave., Fairplex director of communications Renee Hernandez said.

Owners will need to provide food, water and bedding for horses and must adhere to social distancing protocols and wear masks. Fairplex has enough stables to board 300 horses, and stables are spaced to assist with social distancing, Hernandez said.

"The wildfire situation throughout California is dangerous and must be taken seriously," Randy Moore, regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Region, said Monday. "Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior, new fire starts are likely, weather conditions are worsening, and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire."

Structures were being threatened by the fire, according to Angeles National Forest officials, including CalTech's Mount Wilson seismic station, which helps record earthquake activity across the state.

#SantaAnaWinds impacting the #BobcatFire today with increased fire intensity detected on #GOES17 & SCE webcams showing a taller smoke plume. The other red spot to the east is the #ElDoradoFire in SB County. Red flag in effect until 8pm. Weak offshore winds thru Thu morning. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/m4oTcQ3xuS
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) September 9, 2020

- City News Service and Patch Editor Nicole Charky contributed to this report.

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