A record-breaking heatwave hurled California, and L.A. County reached its highest temperature ever recorded at 121 degrees in Woodland Hills this Labor Day weekend. The Bobcat fire started on Sept. 6 at 12:21 p.m., and its origin is located near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area; its cause is still under investigation. Its current acreage is approximately 4,871, and it is the closest active wildfire in proximity to Arcadia, Monrovia, Pasadena, and many other nearby cities.  

According to The San Francisco Chronicle California Fire Map & Tracker, there are at least 18 active wildfires as of Sept. 7 at 8:42 p.m. in California. Due to this, many Californians have evacuated or had the fearful possibility in the back of their heads–one of them being the Bobcat fire.

If you live in any of these areas, you might have noticed smoke rising from the L.A. National Forest, the incandescent red sun upon grey skies, had flakes of ash rain down on your home, or even seen the distant blazing flames whirling violently. 

According to the federal InciWeb site, the fire is “burning actively north into the San Gabriel Wilderness, and south towards Mt. Bliss,” and “winds are forecast to become gusty from the northeast pushing the fire south.” Residents and forest visitors have evacuated from Mt. Wilson, Big Santa Anita Canyon, San Gabriel Canyon, and Monrovia Canyon. The estimated containment date for the Bobcat fire is Oct. 15 at noon.

Pasadena is keeping an eye on the Bobcat fire since “the smoke and raining ash created unhealthy conditions throughout the region.” City spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said that they are “closely monitoring the Bobcat fire because significant wind could cause that fire to pose a threat to Pasadena,” according to Pasadena Now.

“The Unified Incident Command Team, including the Monrovia Fire Department, United States Forest Service and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, are directing Monrovia residents in the foothill area below the Bobcat Fire to be prepared to evacuate… this is an Evacuation Warning,” wrote the City of Monrovia in an update.  Check Monrovia’s full update for further detailed information.

“The fire is near Deer Park and has been slowly burning toward Monrovia. While the City is not ordering evacuations at this time, every resident – especially those living north of Sycamore Street and east of Santa Anita Boulevard – should prepare for the possibility.” the City of Arcadia wrote in an update. 

“The US Forest Service has indicated there is currently zero percent containment. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for a potential Santa Ana wind event through 10 p.m. on” the night of Sept. 7, wrote to the City of Arcadia in an update. “The City of Arcadia and the Arcadia Fire Department are currently monitoring the situation.  The City is requesting all residents to continue to prepare for potential evacuations by” preparing your “Ready, Set, Go” Bag, and ensuring you have all necessary belongings and have a planned location to stay in the chance the evacuation lasts several days. Check Arcadia’s full update for further detailed information and the “Ready, Set, Go” link for a complete guide.

The Arcadia Fire Department and the City of Arcadia encourage residents (especially those nearest to the fire) to have their “Ready, Set, Go” bag prepared. The Arcadia Fire Department urges residents to remember the Six P’s: people/pets, prescriptions, papers, pictures, plastic, and personal computer hard drives.

These updates and information, fear-mongering as they might seem, are given for the community’s safety. The updates and information are for you to remain knowledgeable and to allow you to plan with little surprises.  Simply be ready, remain informed, take precautions, and stay safe! 

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