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View Winners → Monrovia Fire Chief Cautiously Optimistic About Wind in Bobcat Fire Area
Monrovia Weekly Sep 09, 2020
As the sun sets Tuesday night, the orange glow of the Bobcat Fire is ever-present. - Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
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Redflag warning in effect, foothill communities remain on high alert
On Wednesday morning, Monrovia Fire Chief Brad Dover, along with Assistant City Manager Lauren Vasquez and other city officials, surveyed the area above Norumbega Drive to assess the Bobcat Fire’s progression, threat to the community and the potential for Santa Ana winds later in the day.
“Wewere up all last night and really concerned,” Dover said. “However, we’ve beenpretty lucky with the winds and high humidity.”
Referringto the wind direction, which appears to be uphill in a south easterly direction(at least at 11 a.m. Wednesday), Dover said there are fixed wing aircraftordered for the ridge attacks above Monrovia.
TheRed Cross has opened an evacuation center at Santa Anita Park, located at 285W. Huntington Dr. inside Gate 5.
Thefire has scorched 11,456 acres and was 0% contained as of Wednesday morning,according to the U.S. Forest Service’s fireinformation website.
Ared flag warning is in place until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Forecasters are expectingwidespread 20 to 30 miles per hour winds in many mountain areas, the NationalWeather Service stated.
Aswe progressed up Norumbega, coyotes were scattering, trying to avoid the smokeyair from the fire.
