As if they aren’t burdened enough, firefighters leaving the Bobcat Fire came upon another small fire in the Angeles National Forest.

By Mary O’KEEFE

The U.S. Forest Service is asking for the public’s help with information concerning a fire that began on Sunday, Sept. 20 around 5 p.m. at mile marker 28 off the Angeles Crest Highway.

“The cause of the fire is still under investigation,” said Russ Tuttle, U.S. Forest Service patrol captain.

U.S. Forest Service is asking for anyone who may have seen a white pickup truck in the area of mile marker 28 around the time of the fire to call (747) 322-6574 or email [Crimestoppers] sm.fs.anflei@usda.gov.

“The only lead we have is that there was a white pickup truck that [exited] a turnout at a pretty fast pace immediately after the fire was reported,” Tuttle added.

The driver is of interest to the Forest Service; s/he may have seen something that is of interest.

This fire at mm28 was contained quickly. It was burning both sides of the road. Firefighters who were traveling from the Bobcat Fire saw the flames and were able to quickly contain it.

U.S. Forest Service is asking the public to be vigilant and report anything that is out of the ordinary or is suspicious.

The fire on the Crest was a separate incident from the Bobcat Fire, which as of Wednesday afternoon was 38% contained and had burned 113,307 acres. Firefighters were able to gain more containment in the previous days as a strategic firing, or backfire, from Mt. Wilson to Redbox Road and east along Highway 2/Angeles Crest back to the fire perimeter was completed on Tuesday night. Large white plumes of smoke could be seen in the north above Crescenta Valley during this strategic firing.

“A significant portion of the fire line in the Antelope Valley was classified as contained as a result of the work that was done in this area and crews continued to secure areas around structures. A direct fire line has been completed for the northwestern edge of the fire,” stated John Clearwater, spokesman for U.S. Forest Service – Angeles National Forest.

The fire continues to be terrain-driven and to burn in north and east areas, which have not burned in the last 80 years. On Wednesday firefighters planned to focus on the northeastern corner of the fire along Angeles Crest and the valley floor. On the northwestern corner of the fire crews will be constructing direct line south from Littlerock and north from the Crest. At Mt. Wilson firefighters will be strengthening the lines where strategic firing was completed on Tuesday, according to Clearwater. 

The weather is going to be warmer over the weekend, though not as warm the first part of the month.

“It will be moderately warmer and dryer on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, not like we had on Sept. 6, but we are looking at warmer and dryer conditions,” said Todd Hall, meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Oxnard.

There are some possible offshore winds expected but as of Wednesday they appeared to be weak; however, NOAA is still monitoring for fire weather [hot with low humidity].

“We are expecting an elevated fire weather and that is going to be a test of the containment line,” said Andrew Mitchell, U.S. Forest spokesman.

The Bobcat Fire cause is still under investigation.

South Coast Air Quality Management continued the Smoke Advisory due to the Bobcat Fire and El Dorado Fire through this afternoon.

In Los Angeles County, AQMD stated, “Winds will be from the southwest and west and push smoke from the northern extents of the Bobcat Fire to the northeast and east. Winds will be light and variable over the southern extents of the Bobcat Fire and are predicted to move smoke to the south/southwest … [this afternoon] winds are predicted to move smoke from the Bobcat Fire to the northeast into the mountains of Los Angeles and then out of the South Coast air basin.”

The area in the East San Gabriel Valley area, which includes the Crescenta Valley area, is considered Unhealthy with a 177 AQI [Air Quality Index] value, according to the South Coast AQMD.

  Greg DOYLE, Mary Okeefe