'Great News,' Firefighters Now Cleaning Up Spot Fires, Checking for Flare-Ups

 City Manager Dylan Feik shared the "great news" that "firefighters are working in the hills to clean up fires, suppress any remaining flames and watch for flares and startups until the hot areas begin to cool."

However, he added, "flares may occur as the hills are still smoking and embers could ignite residual fires. Call 9-1-1 if you see a new fire ignite."

"The evacuation warning remains in effect and residents should remain prepared for evacuation if unexpected weather and fire conditions require."

- Brad Haugaard

Canyon Park and Camp Trask - Brush Burned But Buildings Safe

Meeting Room in Canyon Park.

Road to top of park, and right fork to Camp Trask.

Top of the park.

Camp Trask.

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that firefighters kept the structures in Canyon Park undamaged even if the brush around the buildings is burned out.

He added: "When the Incident Command Team was discussing fire engagement strategies, the City of Monrovia made it clear that Monrovia Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve are community gems and should be protected. We cannot express enough our deep appreciation to the many agencies and crews who fought tirelessly to preserve our Park. Though work is not complete and fire remains in the City, it is a comfort to see progress has been made, fire lines are being held and resources are focusing on the fire area near the Santa Anita Wash in Arcadia. Please remember, conditions may change and fire can always change direction."

- Brad Haugaard

Flame Broiler and Fellowship Monrovia Provide Free Meals for Monrovia Schools Families

Monrovia School Board President Rob Hammond reports that last Friday, almost 500 meals were distributed by Flame Broiler and Fellowship Monrovia to families with children in the district.

A letter from the district says, "We are so grateful for their generosity, as well as the generosity of Fellowship Monrovia.  When we were forced to close our doors, they opened theirs."

The letter adds that, "Tomorrow and Wednesday we will distribute two and three days worth of grab-and-go meals from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Plymouth Elementary School and Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School."

Also, Sept. 14-18, any order at Flame Broiler will be half off for MUSD families, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. at the Monrovia location: 446 W. Huntington Dr. #436.  Phone orders will be accepted: (626) 358-8318. Use the code word "hope."

- Brad Haugaard

North Arcadia Ordered Evacuated

The City of Arcadia is ordering all residents north of Elkins Ave. and east of Santa Anita Ave. to evacuate due to dangerous wildfire conditions. A Red Cross Evacuation Center has been established at Santa Anita Race Track. To follow the Arcadia part of the fire, see this website:  ArcadiaCA.gov/Bobcat

- Brad Haugaard

Canyon Park and Trask Still Standing; Defensive Lines Hold; Fire Moves West; Keep Conserving Water

City Manager Dylan Feik reports ...

- Canyon Park facilities (ranger station, cabins, and the Nature Center) are still standing. Trask Boy Scout Camp is also still standing.

- The fire has pushed into the Santa Anita Wash. It is now positioned in a drainage area below Chantry Flats and presents a threat to not only Monrovia, but to Arcadia and Sierra Madre.

- Today's priorities on the south end of the fire are to  prepare defensive lines near the Santa Anita Wash and maintain and reinforce the southern edge in Monrovia, including Canyon Park. This line is holding well, including throughout the night, and Incident Command is maintaining those lines. 

- Lower Clamshell Trail served as a fire break and access road for hot shot crews working on those portions of fire. The fire never reached the trail – which was graded – but burn spots did come very close and portions of the Hillside Wilderness Preserve did burn.

- The city decided 5 or 6 homes at the top of Cloverleaf Drive needed to be evacuated, but when city officials attempted to contact the people, they found the residents had already left.

-  Please continue to conserve water, avoid driving or visiting areas near the active fires or damaged areas, and don't fly drones in the area - it is illegal.

- Brad Haugaard

Use a Drone, Get Arrested; Water Conservation Worked

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that police received two reports of illegal drone activity in the fire area. One person was caught but the other was not. He notes that "drones would 100% ground aerial firefighting operations. Individuals who interfere with wildfire suppression efforts may be subject to civil penalties and criminal prosecution."

Also, he thanked Monrovians for saving water. "Throughout the day, from the time we issued the Emergency Alert to conserve water, Emerson and Canyon water tanks never dropped below 90% capacity….what a miracle! Your efforts helped us ensure that water quantity, supply and pressure never became an issue for our firefighters."

- Brad Haugaard

Bobcat Fire Reaches Chantry Flat Above Arcadia

"The fire reached Santa Anita Canyon near Chantry Flat [above Arcadia] where fire activity will remain high overnight. Priorities remain to hold containment lines and protect the foothill communities as the fire continues to progress south." That according to the Incident Information System: https://is.gd/TNznwt

- Brad Haugaard 

Fire Approaching Homes Off North Canyon; Battling Flames at Camp Trask and Canyon Park

 From this map it appears the defensive line against the fire is the green line and then along Lower Clamshell Trail, to which it connects.

So far the battles to save Camp Trask and Canyon Park have been mostly successful, though the fire has burned around the water falls in the park. Here's what City Manager Dylan Feik had to say:

Last night, two additional City strike teams went up to Trask Boy Scout Camp to assist in the firefighting efforts. The fire approached the Camp through the drainage area below the Camp and so they focused on protecting and preserving Trask. Fire tactics used to combat the fire range from control burning to water suppression. Even before this fire, Trask suffered from water system problems and the firefighters had to rig the pool for additional water supply use to engage the fire. Trask is still there and firefighters thus far have been successful. 

The fire also finally entered Canyon Park and has burned areas including Monrovia Falls. Firefighters are working hard to keep it on the north side of Sam The Damkeeper’s House and also north of the Nature Center. 

The Incident Command Team continues to make contingency plans for the neighborhoods in the far northern reaches of Monrovia (think Briarcliff, Ridgeside, N. Canyon, and Oakglade). The fire has a chance of getting close to Lower Clamshell Trail, possibly homes in the area. But there is also a chance the fire does not. As the Team assesses the fire, conditions and terrain, strike teams, fire engines and even police officers are making contingency plans in case it does get close. They are speaking with residents, discussing possible control burning operations as pictured on the map below [I put it above - Brad] (which many of us know are a tool to “fight fire with fire”) and have staged hoses and fire engines for fire suppression. Please remember, the fire continues to be slow moving but it is, in fact, moving. As of 3:40 p.m., there remains consensus that an Evacuation Warning remains. If residents are concerned or feel the fire is too close, please consider leaving.

- Brad Haugaard

Water Conservation Is Helping Fight Bobcat Fire

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that ...

"Your efforts to conserve water are working...Thank You! Please continue helping in this effort. As of 2:30 p.m., the Emerson and Canyon Water Tanks are both at 90% capacity because of your direct efforts. Keep up the excellent work, advocate for water conservation, and we’ll keep pumping it up there! Continue to keep conserving and as a reminder, you can help conserve water by doing the following: 

"Please do NOT water your lawns, rooftops, or homes. This is not a wind-driven event and embers are not blowing downwind. 

"Conserve water. If residents conserve, we can replenish the tanks faster than without conservation.

"Water movement. The City has planned ahead by designing our water system, a combination of many water storage tanks, pumps and pipe, to move water around where it is needed, including from the water plant up above Canyon Park! Some of you may notice a reduction in water pressure or even, possibly, water quality as we pump across town. This is normal and ok but please just be aware. 

"If an Evacuation Order is issued or if you leave your home, please DO NOT leave your irrigation systems."

- Brad Haugaard

Announcement of School Board Candidacy of Bryan Wong

As a 25 year Monrovia resident, I am excited to run for re-election as a Monrovia Unified School District Governing Board member.  In my 17 years on the Board my focus has been to educate the whole child in Academics, Arts and Athletics by focusing on intellectual growth and respect for all.  Monrovia provides a world class education for world class students.  We are internationally known for our robotics program, nationally known as Clifton is on the Schools to Watch list, we have been awarded 14 Golden Bell awards from the state for excellence in innovative programs and the county has presented us awards in nutrition, physical fitness and our career pathways.  All of these accomplishments plus passing a $45 million high school modernization bond has occurred during my tenure.  But we have so much more to get done! 

Our academics standards and rigor have never been higher.  96% of MHS graduates are pursuing post secondary education.  Monrovia student’s admissions to 4 year universities are at an all time high partially due to our Early College Program that allows students to earn up to 2 years of college credit while in high school.  This saves both time and money.  Lots of money!  At the same time our career Pathways programs and Career Technical Education focuses on the kids that want to go straight into the workplace.  These programs create career opportunities, not just jobs.

I believe the Arts are an integral part of a student’s education. We have art programs in all of the elementary schools in addition to creating the Wildrose School of Creative Arts.  At the high school we have the Humanities Academy, Theater Arts Conservatory plus our drama dept which has won nationally recognized Herman awards for their productions.

Our Athletic program is in a league of its own.  We have won CIF championships in football, baseball and soccer and countless league titles in all sports.  This level of dominance raises our profile for college recruiters that result in numerous scholarships for our students.  We are known to provide excellence on the field and in the class room.

Our past is strong but we are preparing for the future with our Dual Immersion programs, Santa Fe Computer Magnet School, upgraded internet backbone and moving to a 1:1 computer to student ratio.

We have a historic opportunity to eliminate barriers that exist to impede diversity, equity and inclusion.  But we also need to deal with the very real educational challenges from the Covid-19 virus and financial devastation that it brought. Hard decisions will need to be made in the coming year.  Board members need a deep understanding of each program that Monrovia offers and the related finances.  

Experienced Board members have never been more important than they are today.  Follow me on Facebook at Bryan Wong For Monrovia Unified School District.  Please support me with your vote on November 3rd.

Fire Approaches Homes in North Monrovia; Already at Camp Trask, Monrovia Canyon Park

As you can see here, the Bobcat Fire is around Camp Trask Boy Scout Camp, Monrovia Canyon Park, and is very near homes in the northernmost part of the city. Note, however, that the red dots are approximations only accurate to within a kilometer. If you'd like to follow this yourself, see here: https://is.gd/Tmgqfw

- Brad Haugaard

Possible Fire Scam Targeting Monrovians

 

Reader Anna Hetman notes that there may be a possible fire-related scam going around. She writes:

The call came in as Private Caller, so I do not have  the telephone number. The gentleman said he is a Public Adjuster with the AQMD. According to him there will be an Adjuster in our neighborhood to check homes for air quality. I asked for a number in order to confirm that this was not a scam. He wanted to explain it to me, but the more he talked the more I felt, and I told him so, that this was a scam. I called Monrovia Police who told me they can check the air quality outside and not to let anyone in their homes.

- Brad Haugaard

Fire in Canyon Park, Camp Trask

City Manager Dylan Feik  reports that the fire continued is now within Canyon Park and near the Trask Boy Scout Camp. Firefighters are fighting the blaze fire near Trask with hand crews and bulldozer creating defensive lines with Phos-Chek drops around the perimeter. Now that the fire is nearing areas where firefighters will engage, additional crews are being assigned to help, including many from  Monrovia Fire Department.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire Department Needs Water - Please Use Less!

Message from Monrovia Fire Department:

Please conserve water! The firefighters and strike teams will begin engaging the fire at Canyon Park today. As the firefighting effort includes large, continuous amounts of water usage, they will draw down our City water supply IF we cannot refill.
We need everyone's help and here is a list of ways you can help us fight this fire today –

• Please do NOT water your lawns, rooftops, or homes. This is not a wind-driven event and embers are not blowing downwind.
• Conserve water. The City stores millions of gallons of water which is used during the day and replenished constantly. When adding firefighting consumption, the tanks will not replenish as fast. If residents conserve, we can replenish the tanks faster than without conservation.
• Water movement. The City has planned ahead by designing our water system, a combination of many water storage tanks, pumps and pipe, to move water around where it is needed, including from the water plant up above Canyon Park! We have millions of gallons of water not in use and ready for firefighting efforts so we will begin pumping the water across town to locations closest to hydrants used for the fire. Some of you may notice a reduction in water pressure or even, possibly, water quality as we pump across town.
• If an Evacuation Order is issued or if you leave your home, please DO NOT leave your irrigation systems, faucets or water spigots on. We need to have water supply available for as long as the fire is present.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire Department Overwhelmed By Kindness

Monrovia Fire Department says ...

We are receiving an overwhelming amount of donations at the Monrovia Fire Station. Although we truly appreciate the community’s kindness, the donations are unneeded and we ask the community to please refrain from donating any additional items.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovians Can Now Divide Their Homes Into Apartments, Build Granny Flats

New state laws have essentially overturned local zoning regulations so now property owners can build additional dwellings in any residentially zoned property or convert space in existing residences into additional dwellings. So what have been called "granny flats" or "backyard cottages" are now legal by state law, and Monrovia is having to accommodate itself to the new rules.

At its next meeting the City Council (agenda: https://is.gd/2bSDmy) will consider adopting rules to bring city regulations into line with state laws regarding ADUs and JADUs.

ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are essentially granny flats, and JADUs (Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) are smaller living units ranging in size from 220 to 500 square feet that are created by converting living space within an existing single family home.

The city is very limited in the type of restrictions it can put on such dwellings. Public hearings are not allowed, no minimum lot size can be required, no open space requirements, etc.

For example, if a garage is converted into a dwelling the city cannot require replacement parking. Nor can parking be required "if the ADU is within a half mile walking distance of public transit, within an historic district, created through the conversion of part of the primary residence or an accessory structure, in an area where permit parking is not offered to ADU occupants, or if it is within one block of a car share program."

The full staff report is here: https://is.gd/yqZ9Ve

- Brad Haugaard

Relative Danger to Buildings in North Monrovia

This map shows the risk from wildfire to buildings in North Monrovia. The scale is from red (high risk) down to blue (low risk). The red circles are the Bobcat Fire. No real surprise here but interesting. Here's the source: https://is.gd/5crvNW

- Brad Haugaard

Bobcat Crosses Into Monrovia City Limits

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that the fire has officially crossed into city limits, according to recent reports from Unified Command, though it has not yet reached Monrovia Canyon Park. Fire crews are continuing to work on creating fire breaks and utilizing roads to slow the fire's progress. 

- Brad Haugaard

Bobcat Fire Becomes Unwelcome Tourist Attraction

The Bobcat Fire has become an unwelcome tourist attraction, with visitors from as far away as Long Beach and Orange County. Monrovia Police will continue to set up checkpoints to discourage gawkers from impeding evacuation routes. People will be asked to proof of residence to access evacuation zones.

The fire is now about .6 of a mile from the Trask Boy Scout Camp and about 1.3 miles north of Canyon Park.

When air visibility allows, air support will be provided. Otherwise, firefighting efforts will be on the ground.

If you have questions regarding the Bobcat Fire, you can call 256-8246 if you can't find the information you need on the city’s website.

Monrovia Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will remain closed until further notice and because of bad air the Friday Night Street Fair is cancelled tonight.

Source: https://is.gd/j4Npxs

- Brad Haugaard

Beautiful But Deadly

In looking at the fire at night and thinking how beautiful and yet how deadly it can be I was reminded of something Robert E. Lee said while overseeing the spectacle of the Battle of Fredericksburg: "It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it."

- Brad Haugaard