I took one dog out to a hill to chase the ball, because the dogs have been cooped up. But they’re good dogs, so they don’t chew up the house, they just chase each other from room to room.
And I saw this to the west.
East, west, nothing’s best. I’m not going to guess where this is – but certainly north west of Altadena. Some huge craft flew over my house and I couldn’t see what it was. That means smoke is settling down around us for the night.
Update from Greg Sweet on pack station at Chantry Flats: "Well, the mule, the donkeys and the goats from the pack station are at Santa Anita Racetrack. Fred, the mule, trailers easily, and some of the old-timer donkeys aren't much problem either. But there are some new BLM's (that's horse speak for Bureau of Land Management rescues) and they were a bit of trouble. Also trouble was trying to turn around the tractor-trailer horse-hauling rigs in the little pack station lot (very expensive by the way). As far as anyone can tell, no fire has entered Big Santa Anita Canyon, but being tucked under the east side of Mt Wilson, it was wise to get the animals out now." (GS)
5 p.m.
On an editorial note, if we have to name fires and other natural disasters, "Station Fire" is bloody lame. Maybe that's why media coverage has been so lousy. This is SoCal. Don't skimp on the publicist.
Station Fire: 105,000 acres burned. Biggest LA County fire in 100 years.
Backfires have been lit between Mt Lowe and Mt Wilson in an effort to save the structures and telecommunication devices on Mt Wilson. That this probably means Mt Lowe has already burned is devastating, as it has been home away from home to many hikers such as myself.
Backfires have been lit near Freeman Av in La Crescenta.
Portions of Sunland are now under mand evac, and additional areas in La Canada.
And it appears that they opened some evac areas in Altadena, only to close them again. Don't quote me on that. I was driving on Loma Alta and it seemed most/many areas remained restricted.
1 pm
(Picture of Alt Stables Trainer Marcy McLemore & assorted helpers)
Horses are back at Altadena Stables after their brief intermission at Equestrian Center. Eques Center will now be taking in a new set of evacuees from areas under threat. I heard Flintridge Stable horses were taken to Santa Anita Racetrack for safe keeping. Witnessing the transport of literally tons of livestock is awe inspiring. Wisely, my main assignment was to make a coffee run.
And just because everything has to be an adventure these days, the (6? 8?) horsetrailer blew a tire on the last trip home. So, you know, I meant to take some impressive photos of the homecoming, but stuff happens.
8 a.m.
All my neighbors are saying the same thing, "My house leaks." Not water; air. We wake every morning to the stench of smoke and ash. Of course, outside it's a hundred times worse, until about mid-day.
The Station Fire has now burned 85,000 acres, and is 5% contained. Mt Wilson is still in imminent danger. Most if not all evac's remain in place.
In about an hour I'm driving to Burbank to see if I can find my horse.
Just heard from Greg Sweet with unfortunate news. "Adams' Pack Station at Chantry Flat just got the mandatory evacuation notice - 7:30am. Going to help out (the barn kitties come to me). Also one mule, 12 donkeys, 6 goats, and 5 laying hens."
Damn.
Again, this link is excellent. Firefighter. Tells you where the fire stands. I hestitate to interpret, but it looks like it is well behind Santa Anita Canyon. Let's hope the evac stays precautionary. Also, last I heard, fire might reach Mt. Wilson by tonight.