1:45 p.m. Sept. 15: This story was edited to update the size of the fire, containment percentage and estimated containment date.
The Bobcat Fire is burning through the San Gabriel Mountains and threatening the safety of Arcadia, Monrovia and Duarte residents while the smoke creates an unhealthy air quality in communities across the San Gabriel Valley and LA County.
The fire officially crossed Monrovia city limits at 1:31 p.m. Sept. 11. and entered Monrovia Canyon Park Sept 12, burning the waterfall Monrovia Falls. The National Forest Service website reports that as of Sept. 14 the fire has burned 36,366 acres reached 6% containment.
By Sept.15, the National Forest Service downgraded containment to 3% as the fire expanded to 41,231 acres. The containment area has not changed, but the increase in acreage burned lowers the percentage.
On Sept. 13, Arcadia issued evacuation orders for all residents north of Elkins Avenue and east of Santa Anita Avenue as the fire extended overnight into the mountains above Arcadia and Chantry Flats in Sierra Madre.
Former Citrus College student Angie Betancourt, age 28, of Monrovia and her boyfriend Angel Mendoza, age 28, were among the first to report the fire while driving home on the 57 freeway.
They called 911 after seeing “a very very faint cloud of smoke” at 12:19 p.m. Sept. 6. The US Forest Service Incident Information System reported the fire started at 12:21 p.m. on Sept. 6.
At first, Mendoza questioned if it was smoke or a cloud.
“That small cloud is a darker shade than all the other clouds,” he remarked to Betancourt. Later, he said it stood out as a grayish cloud so faint he could hardly see it while the other clouds were white as snow.
“The next thing we knew we saw fire trucks racing,” Betancourt said. “My car is covered in ashes, our roof was covered in ashes and (right now) all we hear are helicopters and sirens.”
Betancourt lives in the phase two evacuation warning zone. Even inside her home, the air quality is poor as a result of the smoke. Betancourt’s father, who has asthma, is not able to work due to the fire.
CNN reported Sept. 11 that at least 24 people on the West Coast have died in the past month from wildfires spanning three states.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website shows 17 wildfires currently burning across California.
Due to smoke from the Apple Fire, El Dorado fire and Bobcat Fire, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an advisory in effect through Sept. 13 warning of unhealthy air quality in East and West San Gabriel Valley, South San Gabriel Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains, advising individuals to minimize outdoor activities.
The US Air Quality Index for Sept. 12 shows the San Gabriel Mountains have an unhealthy AQI of 175 and particle pollution measurement of 2.5.
“If you can see smoke, soot, or ash, or you can smell smoke, pay attention to your immediate environment and take precautions to safeguard your health,” Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis explained in the health alert in a Sept. 12 press release.
Vice President of Academic Affairs Arvid Spor emailed students Sept. 10 saying personnel are closely monitoring the fire due to its proximity to the school, advising everyone to stay inside due to the smoke hazard.
“I ask that you remember to take steps to protect yourself from possible air quality issues as the biggest health threat from smoke comes from breathing fine particles,” Spor said.
Electrical engineering major Isaiah Daniel Jacob Gallardo, 18, of Monrovia says he has been able to get his school work done but the stress has him “nearly seeing (his) breakfast again.” He lives just outside the evacuation zone but worries he might be in it soon.
While the fire rages in the mountains above, Monrovia Police Department has been responding to residents’ calls complaining of traffic because of visitors gawking and taking photos of the remarkable sight but impeding potential evacuation routes.
One residential community erected a makeshift sign out of a soccer goal and blue tape saying “NOT A SHOW” to deter gawkers and photographers.
On Sept. 12, the city of Monrovia statement asked residents to begin conserving water as the blaze extends closer to homes in the foothills, as firefighters may need to dip into the city’s supply to protect the lines.
“The fire is being closely watched and fire crews are continuing to work on opening dozer lines and utilizing road systems to slow progression of the fire,” a Sept. 11 city of Monrovia statement said. “The Bobcat Fire will likely burn for some time until it is fully contained by crews.”
The U.S. Forest Service previously estimated that the fire will not be fully contained until Oct. 15, but as of Sept. 15 they updated the estimate to Oct. 30.
