Station Fire

First Posting | Summary
Posting Date: August 31, 2009, 2:00:00 PM

A wildfire threatening 12,000 homes in California doubled in size last night. Dubbed the “Station Fire,” it has already burned more than 85,000 acres of land in Angeles National Forest—where rugged wildlands merge abruptly with upscale suburban exposure in Glendale, La Canada, Altadena, and Pasadena. Over 2,500 firefighters are working diligently to establish buffer zones to keep the fire north of these communities, which are about 12 miles north of Los Angeles. As of this afternoon, the fire— which started on August 26th— is only 5% contained. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Officials predict it might not be fully contained for just over a week. The Station Fire is currently less than half a mile from Mount Wilson, a key telecommunications center overlooking Los Angeles. Mt. Wilson houses transmitters for more than 20 television stations, many radio stations and several cell phone providers. Additionally, two giant telescopes are housed in the facility’s observatory. The Station Fire has destroyed just 21 homes over its six-day lifetime; however, ten thousand homes are under evacuation orders, including parts of both Acton and Altadena. The median home value for the area impacted by the Station Fire is just over USD 500,000, but this area also contains a number of multi-million dollar mansions. Buildings are typically constructed of stucco with shed (flat) roofs covered with low-pitched clay tile and terra cotta or cast-concrete ornaments. The homes generally have little cleared area separating them from the surrounding vegetation. AIR estimates the total insured values for both residential and commercial properties in Glendale, La Canada and Altadena —the communities within the border of the fire— to be USD 5.4 billion, USD 5.74 billion, and USD 5.9 billion, respectively. The Station Fire has spread at a notably quick pace, aided by hot, dry weather and brush that hasn’t experienced any significant fire activity in 40 years. Very heavy fuels—including ceanothus and chamise shrubs, as well as scrub oak and Manzanita— populate the entire fire region. The steep terrain further fuels the fire’s rapid upslope ascent. Unfortunately, it also restricts firefighter mobility. The lack of fierce Santa Ana winds, which have fanned many of Southern California's most devastating wildfires in the recent past, is limiting the fire’s rate of spread. Currently, winds are moderate (below 10 mph), giving firefighters a chance to defend and save most of the threatened homes. If the winds were to escalate to Santa Ana levels, firefighters could easily lose control. However, windspeeds are expected to remain steady at less than 10 mph throughout the week and temperatures are expected to drop later in the week. The Station Fire is the largest of several fires scorching the California landscape. The Morris Fire, another blaze in Angeles National Forest, had burnt over 2,100 acres as of today. It is now 95% contained. Northeast of Sacramento, in Auburn, California, a fire that broke out Sunday afternoon charred 250 acres, damaged or destroyed 60 homes and businesses and left about 3,700 Pacific Gas & Electric customers without power. It is more than halfway contained today. A fire burning in Yosemite National park has prompted officials to close two campgrounds. The map below shows the close proximity of populated areas to the current perimeter of the fire. Currently, the perimeter abuts but has not penetrated a number of suburbs. The AIR Wildfire team will continue to monitor the fires and will provide updates as warranted.

First Posting | Downloads
Posting Date: August 31, 2009, 2:00:00 PM