Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Board of Supervisors Approves Emergency Proclamation Declaring Local Emergency in Response to Bobcat Fire

The Bobcat Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest, pictured on Sept. 9, 2020. (Credit: U.S. Forest Service)

The Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda Solis to ratify the emergency proclamation signed over the weekend declaring a local emergency as a result of the Bobcat Fire in the San Gabriel Valley.

The Bobcat Fire started on Sept. 6 and is now at 41,231 acres with three percent containment. The fire is located near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area and is burning in heavy fuels and spreading rapidly. Firefighters continue to work diligently and are focused on protecting the foothill communities and Mt. Wilson. An increase in resources has allowed first responders to expand their efforts to reduce further growth of the fire.

“I am grateful for the collaboration of our cities and communities, including Sierra Madre, Arcadia, Monrovia, Bradbury, Duarte and Azusa, who have shown strong unity in support of our fire personnel to battle the ongoing fire,” Supervisor Barger said. “The Los Angeles County Fire Department is working in partnership with U.S. Forest Service Angeles National Forest and American Red Cross to manage this emergency and provide essential support to residents.”

“As the Bobcat Fire spreads to more than 41,000 acres, with containment at three percent, I implore all residents in impacted areas to act quickly when receiving directives from our emergency personnel,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis said. “If you must evacuate your home, please follow through quickly. I thank the dedicated women and men of the Los Angeles County Fire Department for protecting our communities and families by working nonstop in attempting to contain this blaze.”

An evacuation order has been issued for all residents north of Elkins Ave. and east of Santa Anita Ave. in Arcadia and portions of Sierra Madre. Residents are advised to evacuate the area using Santa Anita Ave. San Gabriel Canyon, including Camp Williams, remains under an evacuation order.

A Red Cross Evacuation Center is set up at Santa Anita Park. There are also evacuation warnings in place for residents north of Foothill Blvd. and east of Santa Anita Ave. in addition to the foothill communities of Monrovia, Bradbury, Sierra Madre, Altadena, Duarte and Pasadena.

For updated information on the Bobcat Fire, individuals are encouraged to follow the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Angeles National Forest on social media. Links to their respective Twitter feeds can be found here: LA County Fire PIO and Angeles National Forest.