Critical Information Pertaining to the Station Wildfire: Extreme rates of spread including crowning and torching were documented today at Chilao. Old growth timber was destroyed like match sticks burning in the wind today in and around the Chilao fire station and campground. Long range spotting was observed with a rotating vertical fire plume captured in hi definition video by Jeff Zimmerman of Zimmerman Media LLC. Extreme fire conditions persist in the Angeles National Forest, there has been structural and loss of human life.

A Red Flag Warning will remain in effect due to high temperatures and low humidity until 9:00 p.m. this evening. Fire behavior will be much the same as last night with active fire behavior spreading North/Northeast towards Pear Blossom and Little Rock and towards the subdivisions along I-215. The greatest fire activity is expected in the Big and Little Tujunga areas. Fire is expected to spread towards Mt. Wilson and the San Gabriel Wilderness.

The Station Fire is now estimated to be 105,296 acres. The fire is spreading east and north with some northwest spread. Firefighters are making some progression on the NW edge of the fire. Small scale firing operations to help in suppression efforts are taking place north of La Canada Flintridge and Glendale. A hotshot crew and engines from Glendale Fire Department and LA County are reporting that they are experiencing success with the mission. 65 personnel have been pulled back from Chilao Flats for safety reasons. Crews, engines, water tenders are working in the Mt. Wilson area.

The Station Fire continues to burn within the Angeles National Forest and near surrounding foothill communities of La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Acton, Soledad Canyon, Pasadena and Glendale. The goals of the firefighters are to keep the fire west of Highway 39 and Angeles Crest Highway, east of Interstate 5, south of Highway 14, Pearblossom Highway, and Highway 138, and north of the foothill communities and the Angeles National Forest Boundary. Steep terrain, decadent old growth brush and hot dry weather are factors that drive fire activity. Firefighters are working to build fireline and protect structures within areas affected by the fire.

Evacuations:

Juniper Hills Area: LA County Sheriff Department is issuing evacuation warnings for All homes in the Juniper Hills area north of Juniper Hills Rd between Emma Rd, Fort Tejon Rd and Longview Rd.

Tujunga: Northwest of Day at Blue Gum Canyon Rd, to Glory Ave to westbound Apperson St to northbound Fairgrove Ave to westbound Summitrose St to northbound Pinyon Ave to westbound Hillrose St to northbound Seven Hills Dr to Lonzo St.

La Crescenta: All previous evacuations remain in effect. NEW MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED for all residences south of Markridge Rd to Orange Ave between Pennsylvania Ave and Ocean View Blvd INCLUDING Orange Cove Ave.

MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS for all residences north of Rockdell St and Faircrest Dr between Rosemont Ave and the foothills.

Altadena: Evacuation orders have been lifted for the areas north of W. Loma Alta Dr between Aralia Rd and Fair Oaks Ave WITH THE EXCEPTION of Prieto Fire Rd and Millard Canyon north of Risinghill Rd which remain under mandatory evacuation orders. Chaney Trail and Alzada Dr north of Jaxine Dr also remain under mandatory evacuation orders.

Evacuations centers operated by the Red Cross:

La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Ave. La Canada, CA

Crescenta Valley High School, 2900 Community Ave. La Cresenta, CA

Verdugo High School, 10625 Plain View Ave. Tujunga, CA

Marie Kerr Park Recreation Center, 39700 30th St. West, Palmdale, CA

Golden Valley High School, 27051 Robert C. Lee Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA

Please call 310-943-5220 for additional information on evacuation centers.

4,300 structures have been evacuated as of 4:35 p.m. this afternoon.

Road Closures:

Red Rover Mine Rd. @ SR-14

Soledad Canyon Rd. @ Crown Valley Rd.

Escondido Rd.@ SR-14

Soledad Canyon Rd. @ SR-14 (exit only)

Agual Dulce Canyon Rd. @ SR-14

Placerita @ Sand Canyon Rd.

Big Pines @ SR-2

Aliso Canyon @ Soledad Canyon Rd.

Angeles Forest Highway @ Mt. Emma Rd.

Red Rover Mine Rd.@ Escondido Rd.

Aliso Canyon @ Ave Y-8

Little Tujunga @ Ranger Station

Open to Residents Only:

Lake Blvd. to JPL and south of Cheyney Tr.

Evacuation shelters are located at La Canada High School; La Crescenta Valley High School and Golden Valley High School, Marie Kerr Park, Verdugo High School.

Animal shelters are located at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, as well as the following special needs shelter. Pierce College (horses, donkeys and mules ONLY), Lancaster Animal Shelter and Agoura Animal Shelter are both accepting small animals.

As a result of extreme fire activity, and to protect public health and safety, Angeles National Forest officials are expanding the Station Fire area closure. The expanded perimeter of the closure includes the entire western portion of the main portion of the Forest south of Highway 14. (See attached map) This closure is effective 6:00 p.m. today and will last until the Station Fire has been fully contained.

Approximate Personnel Assigned:3,655

Helicopters 13

Air Tanker 8 (3 additional aircraft available as needed)

Engines 399

Hand Crews 44

Dozers 48

Water Tenders 43

The Forest Service (Lead Agency) with support of Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sherriffs Department, California State Highway Patrol, Cal Trans, Los Angeles City Fire Department and other agencies is working to contain the Station Fire

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Wednesday August 26th, 2009 approx 03:30 PM
Location Los Angeles River Ranger District / Angeles National Forest
Incident Commander Michael Dietrich
Current Situation
Total Personnel 3,655
Size 105,296 acres
Percent Contained 5%
Estimated Containment Date Tuesday September 08th, 2009 approx 06:00 PM
Fuels Involved

Very heavy fuels of ceanothus, chamise, scrub oak and manzanita across the entire fire area, 15 to 20 feet in height with Big Cone Douglas Fir in the drainage bottoms. Fuels have not experienced any significant large fire activity in the past 40 years.
Fire Behavior

Fire behavior was extremewith long range spottin and plume dominated fire behavior on two fronts, North and West.
Significant Events

Mandatory Evacuations are in effect for the Verdugo Crestline North area in the City of Los Angeles and Glendale.
Outlook
Planned Actions

Crews will prepare and protect structures when and where necessary including critical communication sites.Fire fighters will construct handlines, dozer lines and begin firing operations to help contain the fire. Existing lines will be improved.
Growth Potential

Extreme. The fire in the Acton area has spread down to the lower slopes adjacent to the road.
Terrain Difficulty

Extremely steep and inaccessible
Remarks

Angeles Crest Highway remains closed and is the primary access route for numerous private residences and the Mount Wilson Communication Facility and Observatory. Multiple evacuation centers have been established. The Red Flag warning will expire at 9:00 p.m. the evening.