City is Prepared for Station Fire

The Sierra Madre Fire Department and City Officials continue to closely monitor the Station Fire. As of this morning, there is still no imminent danger to Sierra Madre residents and no evacuation orders have been issued. The City of Sierra Madre will maintain its current state of optimal preparedness throughout the Labor Day weekend.

The Station Fire continues to be a slow-moving, terrain-driven fire that is currently 42% contained and has burned 148,258 acres. Incident Command indicates that areas south and east of Mt. Wilson are still a high priority. This includes the foothill communities, including Sierra Madre and Chantry Flats. Please be aware that there is a potential for increased fire apparatus activity on land and by air.

Fire officials sent handcrews to create a fire break between wilderness areas and the northern-most properties in Sierra Madre. This fire break is expected to extend from Altadena to Azusa and is designed to hold the fire north of the wildlife/urban interface. The City has been informed that controlled fire operations are included with contingency plans should the fire become a real threat to life and property in the foothill communities.

The City of Sierra Madre would like to ask residents north of W. Carter Ave., north of E. Carter Ave, Mt. Wilson Trail Road, the Upper Canyon and Lower Canyon, and north of E. Grandview Ave from N. Mountain Trail eastward to renew their emergency preparations in the event that the City issues evacuation orders. Residents are reminded to be “Ready for 7” with 7 days worth of food, clothing, medicine, pet food and supplies should they have to leave their homes. The Community Recreation Center at 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. has been identified as an evacuation or check-in center should residents be forced to leave their homes. Pets in crates will be allowed in Sierra Vista Park.

As the fire continues to burn closer to Sierra Madre, wild animals will be leaving the forest and entering the City. Public Safety Officials warn residents to be cautious and leave all wildlife animals alone. For the safety of these animals, please do not feed them. Residents may want to take caution and keep small children and pets indoors.

In compliance with an order from the US Forest Service and the LA County Sheriff Department, the City is closing until further notice Bailey Canyon, Mt. Wilson Trail and access roads to Chantry Flats. These closures will continue throughout the Labor Day weekend and will be strictly enforced.

Fire conditions are changing constantly and this message contains the most current information the City of Sierra Madre has at this time. City Hall will be closed in observance of Labor Day Monday, September 7, 2009; however, City officials will continue to monitor and update the City’s message boards throughout the weekend. At this time, the City Council meeting for Tuesday, September 8, 2009, will take place at its regularly scheduled time.

For more information, please tune into SMTV3, channel 3 on Time Warner Cable, or www.sierramadrepio.blogspot.com. eBlasts will also be sent out to registered users – to register for email alerts please visit www.cityofsierramadre.com, click on AccessSierraMadre, and then click CommunicationLink to register your email address.