Fire Update: Santa Anita Fire - Mandatory Evacuations

Fire Update, Sunday, 6:30 am- Mandatory Evacuations

Sunday, April 27, 2008 Update 6:30am (06:45 hours) The Santa Anita Fire began on Saturday, April 26th at approximately 3:00 pm (1500 hours) on Santa Anita Canyon Road. It has currently burned over 350 acres of wildland urban interface. The only structure damaged at this time is a small out building off of Lotus Lane. The fire is 5 percent contained and we are looking at 2-3 days for full containment. Approximately 200 homes have been evacuated and we anticipate new evacuations north of Carter west to Lima Street. The American Red Cross has opened shelters at the Hart Park House, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. and the Congregational Church 170 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.in Sierra Madre. The Sierra Madre City Council held an emergency meeting at 12:10 am this morning to declare the City in a state of emergency. Air support began again this morning at approcimately 6:30 a.m. We anticipate having 2 helicopters, 3 air tankers, and over 400 firefighters on the ground. The difficulty of this fire is the terrain which is steep and difficult to access. Additonally, some of these areas have not burned in over 40 years. So far, the weather has been on our side, and although there will be intense heat today. We are asking residents and visitors to stay off the streets, keep areas clear for fire department access and to stay attentive. Immediate updates can be found on www.cityofsierramadre.com and SMTV3, Channel 3 on Time Warner Santa Anita Fire Saturday, April 26, 2008, Update 10:20 PM Mandatory Evacuation Go to: Hart Senior Park House 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Congregational Church 170 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Western Section Oak Crest Drive north of Carter Avenue North of Carter Avenue East to Mira Monte Avenue to Mountain Trail Eastern Section Sierra Madre Lower and Upper Canyons All areas North of Grand View Avenue from Mountain Trail east to Santa Anita Avenue Saturday, April 26, 2008 Saturday, April 26, 2008, 7:55 PM Update Voluntary Evacuation North East Sections of the City of Sierra Madre North of Grandview Acacia Alta Vista Arno Camillo Foothill Avenue Kaia Lane Lotus Lane Oak Dale Drive Sunrise Hill Lane Valle Vista Woodland Saturday, April 26, 2008 Update, 6:00 PM At approximately 3:00 p.m. reports of a fire in the hills above Sierra Madre, California Arcadia Fire Department was the first to respond with Sierra Madre and LA County Fire Units. Point of origin was on Santa Anita Canyon Road about 1 mile north. Fire is approximately 21 acres. The fire is spreading north slowly through light brush in difficult terrain. Containment is estimated within 24 hours. There are hikers at the pack stations. There are Sheriff Deputys with them, but no information on how soon they will be able to come down. They are safe.Note: All hikers were down on 4-26. No damage to structures or vehicles. Only 1 injury - Sierra Madre firefighter who was stung by a bee and transported to Methodist Hospital. Unified Command System Forest Services LA County Area C Responding Units: 3 water tenders 5 crews 3 helicopters 12 engines 4 chiefs 1 observation plan