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Big Horn Fire Burns Behind Claremont
By Centinel | May 14, 2008
It doesn’t have the drama of the Santa Anita fire yet, but Mt. Baldy got a scare:
Fierce winds are ripping through Mt. Baldy Village this morning as firefighters launch an air assault on the blaze burning at the top of the Mt. Baldy Ridge.
About 250 firefighters are preparing to hike through the rugged backlands to the Bear Creek Drainage area where the fire originated.
The fire seems to have grown to nearly 400 acres according to the latest:
Weather conditions are going to be key in getting the fire on Mount Baldy contained.
The fire has burned about 370 acres since it was first spotted around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Bear Creek Canyon area of Mount Baldy.
The ridge was completely ablaze Tuesday, but crews were able to gain a little ground after the winds died down and temperatures dropped overnight. The fire remains just 15 percent contained Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, it was interesting to see that a “private company” donated fire retardant spraying on some patches above Sierra Madre, as well as the beginnings of a discussion of the cost of the fire to the city:
The city’s efforts to clean up after the Santa Anita Fire and to prepare for potential blazes this summer and fall got a boost from outside Sierra Madre on Tuesday.
Just a few hundred feet from where the blaze began more than two weeks ago, a 1-acre patch of vulnerable brush that did not burn was sprayed down with clear flame retardant, thanks to a donation from a private company.
…
The donation of the retardant - the same substance that is dyed pink and dropped from fixed-wing aircraft during active wildfires - was organized by former Monrovia fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna and paid for by insurer AIG, which contracts with Firebreak to aid wealthy clients in private fire prevention.
That sure is nice of AIG.
Along with the city’s regular brush-reduction program, Sierra Madre officials are contemplating reseeding programs for the hillside. They also are coping with a potential multimillion-dollar firefighting price tag and preparing for the threat of mudslides when the rainy season comes.
…
Officials also Tuesday were meeting with state and county representatives to examine grant funding to pay for firefighting costs, said Elisa Weaver, deputy director of community and personnel services.
Aye yi yi. There will probably be in some acrimony in SM over those expenses.
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Topics: Main Page, Claremont, Sierra Madre |
May 14th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I just heard there was a small scare behind the homes on Mount Wilson Trail.
I heard fire engines this morning, but I understand they got it under control fast.
It was right where the big fire had burned down, pretty close to those homes.
Might have been one of those smoldering hot spots that actually burn under the brush where they are hard to detect.
I watched the presentation last night by our the SMFD guys at city council chambers last night.
It was very interesting. What a good job those guys did.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Even after 2.5 weeks passed, the roots of the once 100 ft. pines were burning underground- traveling beneath the earth and vented by abandoned gofer holes. 2003-Cedar Glen
May 14th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Someone who lives up there just sent me this:
The fire restarted west of Mountain Trail. Someone was just
airlifted out of 1 Carter.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Just got another report…..
The police were up there, helicopters & 1 helicopter lowered a
basket to evacuate the injured whoever.
Heard the fire restarted by Mtn Trail, maybe 11?
May 14th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Just spoke to Battalion Chief Mike Bamberger. Here’s the scoop. About 9:45 am, there was a small rekindled fire in the burn area. Firefighter attacked it directly, and during mop-up, there were two minor injuries. One of them required that the injured firefighter be airlifted out. It is anticipated that he will be treated and released by the end of the day.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Thanks, Bill.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
[…] Bill Coburn Just spoke to Battalion Chief Mike Bamberger. Here’s… […]