New evacuations were ordered in the more than 50,000-acre Bobcat Fire. Darsha Philips reports Sept. 17, 2020.
What to Know
- An evacuation warning is in effect for residents in the Juniper Hills area on the northern slope of the San Gabriel Mountains.
- Evacuation orders were lifted Wednesday resident in Arcadia and parts of Sierra Madre.
- Fire crews set back fires to form a defensive wall around the historic Mount Wilson Observatory.
Evacuations were ordered Thursday afternoon for residents north of the Bobcat Fire in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles as it expanded to 50,539 acres.
The fire, which began nearly two weeks ago, remained only 3% contained.
At 3 p.m., evacuations have been ordered for residents in Paradise Springs, including the areas East of Devils Punchbowl Road, south of Big Pines Highway, North of the Big Rock Creek and west of Jackson Lake.
Juniper Hills residents south of Fort Trejon Road and east of 96th Street, as well as east and south of Valyermo Road and west of Bob's Gap Road, were told to pack and prepare to evacuate Wednesday night. Juniper Hills is a foothills community located on the northern slope of the San Gabriel Mountains, facing the Antelope Valley.
On the other side of the mountains, evacuation orders were lifted Wednesday for residents north of Elkins Avenue and east of Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia and portions of Sierra Madre. Residents were able to return to their homes at 4 p.m.
“Welcome home Arcadia,'' the Arcadia Fire Department tweeted Wednesday evening. “Continue to be vigilant and stay alert as Arcadia remains in an evacuation warning status should fire conditions change.
Fire crews worked throughout the day to protect the Mount Wilson Observatory and nearby broadcast towers valued at more than $1 billion from approaching flames. Founded in 1904, the astronomical research facility revolutionized the field of study in the first half of the 20th Century.
Back fires set throughout the day Tuesday near the observatory were effective in decreasing the intensity and spread of the flames, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire remove dry brush, creating a defensible space for firefighters to protect buildings.
Observatory personnel were evacuated. Mount Wilson is not only one of the crown jewels of astronomy but also home to infrastructure that transmits cell phone signals and television and radio broadcasts for the greater Los Angeles Area.
At the north end of the fire, the focus was to try to contain the spot fires across Highway 2 after a 500- to 1,000-acre spot fire crossed the highway Tuesday. Air tankers were ordered Wednesday morning to help contain the spot fire in the Cooper Canyon area.
The east side of the fire remained quiet.
Full containment of the fire, which will be achieved by way of cleared vegetation, was not estimated until Oct. 30, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Officials had earlier estimated full containment by Oct. 15 but revised that date on Sunday.
A closure order for all National Forests in Southern California was extended to Monday.
The Bobcat Fire erupted on Sept. 6 near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area northeast of Mount Wilson and within the Angeles National Forest.
The cause remains under investigation.
