Wife's home, so catch up will be sporadic, altho' comments are still wide open.

A note to begin:

FREE ACUPUNCTURE STRESS RELIEF AND LUNG SUPPORT TREATMENT

WHAT: As a 10-year Altadena resident and a practicing acupuncturist, I would like to offer free stress relief and lung support treatments to those who could use a boost to help them deal with the trauma, both physical and emotional, of the Station fire.

The treatment is a silent, sitting, mostly ear acupuncture protocol in a group setting.

WHEN:  Today, Thursday, September 3, until 6:00 p.m.
            Tuesday, September 8 through Thursday, September 10 from 10 a.m. until
                6:00 p.m.
            Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. until  2 p.m.

HOW:   Just call the office in Arcadia at 626-446-5900, to let us know when to expect
           you.  All comers will be treated on a first call, first served basis as the office
           can accommodate a few people at a time.

WHERE:  Barbara Burns, Licensed Acupuncturist's office is in Arcadia in the two story
            brick buildiing on the corner of Oakwood and Foothill, one block east of
            Santa Anita and one block north of the 210 Freeway.          

We look forward to seeing you soon.

——–

  UPDATE 10:30 PM 

Community safety meeting: Please check the comments for reports from folks who attended the community meeting at Pas Naz church this evening.

Chantry Flats: here's the official Forest Service communique:

Subject:  Response to Chantry
Date:     Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:26:29 -0700
From:     Jody Noiron <jnoiron@fs.fed.us>

Recently my office has been contacted by concerned permit holders and
recreationists regarding misinformation on our suppression efforts
around Chantry Flats, Big Santa Anita Recreation Residence Tract,
Sturdevant Camp, and Adams Pack Station.

The Angeles National Forest has a long proud history of preserving our
natural, cultural, and historical resources.  These efforts will
continue.  As you are well aware, the Station Fire has been very
unpredictable and intense.  Fire managers will engage the fire when it
is safe to do so and they will disengage when it is not safe for
firefighters.  In 2006, we lost 5 fire fighters in the Esperanza fire in
San Bernardino trying to protect a structure.  We will not endanger any
firefighter to protect property.  We value our permit holders and the
resources in the forest but none is as important as the lives of our
firefighters or citizens.

I appreciate your concern and input.  I assure you we will continue to
work safely to contain and control this fire.  Let me assure you that
the Forest Service has no intention to let these historic and popular
recreation areas burn.  As they have throughout the Station Fire, the
Incident Management Team will continue to use all defensive tactics and
suppression resources available to fight fire aggressively and safely.
 The team is actively engaged in suppression activities with the goal of
keeping the fire away from Santa Anita Canyon and the Foothill
communities.

******************************

*******
Jody Noiron
Forest Supervisor
Angeles NF, R5
Phone (626) 574 – 5216
Cell      (626) 590-7628
Fax       (626) 821 – 6777
E-MAIL  jnoiron@fs.fed.us

*************************************

  UPDATE 6:10 PM 

Just received from Ann Erdman, Pasadena's public information officer:

All Pasadena residents are advised to avoid outside activity, run air filters or air conditioners that don’t draw in outside air, monitor fire and smoke status via local news organizations and be prepared to leave homes if conditions change.
 
If the fire reaches antennas on Mt. Wilson and damages TV and radio transmission equipment, the Pasadena Fire Department advises residents who don’t have cable to get updates on news affecting Pasadena from the city’s website (www.cityofpasadena.net ).  Updates on nearby fires also can be found at http://inciweb.org/incident/1856 and http://www.lacanadaflintridge.com.
 
As of Sunday morning, residents of the Florecita neighborhood in Pasadena were notified that they may return to their homes.  However, if conditions change and evacuation orders are issued by local authorities, residents are asked to comply with the orders to prevent loss of life and ensure that firefighting efforts are not compromised.
 

The Pasadena Fire Department has had 10 personnel assigned to the Station Fire since last Friday.

Smoke and ash from the Station Fire are still heavy today, so everyone is advised by the Pasadena Public Health Department to avoid outside activity, especially elderly residents, children, pregnant women and people who have heart or respiratory health issues.  Schools that are in session, after-school programs and sports organizations for children (such as Little League) are advised to cancel outdoor practices in areas where there is visible smoke, soot or ash, or where there is an odor of smoke.  Outdoor activities should be suspended until conditions improve.

The following recommendations from Pasadena Public Health Department will help residents protect themselves and their families from harmful effects of bad air quality:

 * If outdoor air is bad, try to keep indoor air as clean as possible by keeping windows and doors closed.  Air conditioners that re-circulate air within the home can help filter out harmful particles.
  * Avoid using air conditioning units that only draw in air from the outside or that do not have a re-circulating option.  Residents should check the filters on their air conditioners and replace them regularly.  Indoor air filtration devices with HEPA filters can further reduce the level of particles that circulate indoors.
  * If it is too hot during the day to keep doors or windows closed and you do not have an air conditioning unit that re-circulates indoor air, consider going to an air conditioned public place, such as a library or shopping center, to stay cool and protect yourself from harmful air.
  * Do not use wood-burning or gas fireplaces, candles and vacuums.  Use damp cloths to clean dusty indoor surfaces.  Do not smoke.
  * If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to smoke exposure, including severe coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your physician immediately or go to an urgent care center.
  * When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors even though you may not be able to see them.  Wearing a mask may prevent exposures to large particles.  However, most masks do not prevent exposure to fine particles and toxic gases, which may be more dangerous to your health.
 
All Pasadena residents and businesses should review their personal, family and workplace emergency plans and make sure their emergency preparedness kits are up to date.  More information about emergency preparedness can be found at www.cityofpasadena.net/disaster; more information about preventing the health impacts of fire-related smoke can be found at www.aqmd.gov/ej/cac/wildfire_safety_tips.htm.
 

Due to hot temperatures, possible gusty winds and low humidity expected to fall below 10 percent for several hours today, the National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning – a higher risk of wildfires – that will be in effect in the moountains of Los Angeles County until 9 p.m. tonight.

Also breaking: news that fire officials are looking at arson as the cause of the Station Fire.  More on this as it develops.