san gabriel valley fires

As you know by now, fires have been rampant in our San Gabriel Valley for the past week. On August 25, a brush fire started in Angeles National Forest along San Gabriel Canyon Road near Morris Dam and lasted several days, burning over 750 acres near the cities of Glendora and Azusa (pictured). Then, on August 26, what is now known as the Station Fire broke out and remains a huge threat to our community.

Though the fire has not come close to our Habitat-built homes thus far, it has greatly affected a large number of our supporters: board members, volunteers, businesses, and churches in the La Canada, La Crescenta, Tujunga, and Altadena area have had to face the fires encroaching on their neighborhoods; many have even had to be evacuated from their homes. We are thankful that Mount Wilson Observatory and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory have been spared -- at least for now -- and we also pray that the fire does not spread to more populated areas.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department website, as of 8:30 this morning the Station Fire has destroyed 94 structures (including 64 homes and 3 businesses) and almost 145,000 acres, with flames reaching 80 feet. Containment has finally reached 38% (though it is not expected to be fully contained until September 16) thanks to the amazing work of our firefighters -- but not without a price. Six people have been injured, and two have lost their lives due to the fire. Please keep the families of our fallen heroes, Fire Captain Ted Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnie Quinones, in your thoughts and prayers. As a member of the SGV Habitat family and resident of La Canada, Carol Martin wrote to me recently, "May God hold extra close the 2 firefighters, their family and friends, their brothers in service. [They] do amazing things in life-threatening circumstance. They saved our neighborhood Fri/Sat and will live forever as heroes in our hearts."


air support dropping retardant -- photo credit Carol Martin


flames approaching residential areas -- photo credit Carol Martin


Station Fire Community Meetings:

Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m.
First Church of the Nazarene
3700 East Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA
(626) 351-9631

Friday, September 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Azusa Senior Center
740 N. Dalton Ave.
Azusa, CA
(626) 812-5204


For more information, please visit:
Los Angeles County Fire Department
SGV Tribune
Mount Wilson Observatory
.