Station Fire -- What's in a motto?

Motto on Pasadena Fire Department truck.
Powerful stuff.

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Station Fire -- Thursday Morning

I just got back from walking the dog. It is definitely smoky out there this morning in our NE Pas neighborhood. It is kind of a dissapointment because last night I did not smell the smoke and hoped this thing was over.

The modis active fire map on google shows a vastly reduced level of recent fire activity. The red squares (indicating fire activity within the last 24 hours) are now concentrated on the west flank of the fire which has moved well north and east of Mt. Wilson (due north from Montrovia and Duarte). There are red squares on the west flank too (heading toward Santa Clarita) but most of the remainging recent activity is on the west side.

The Times reports that the Mt. Wilson towers and observatory is going to be saved after a five day battle. That is a complete turnaround from the start of the week when reports were that the fire was going to overtake the towers.

Meanwhile, the heat wave continues. Accuweather projects a high today of 96. That's well off record heat, but up from the normal high of 89. Their prediction for Saturday is a high of 87, which would be a welcome change.

Station Fire -- Wednesday Morning

This morning, for the first time in several days, I awoke to relatively clear air. There was no smoky smell and no ash at my home in East Pasadena. As I drove into work with my car windows down, I did notice the smell of smoke by the time I reached downtown Pas. But, I don't see any flames this morning and the news, for seemingly the first time in ages, is reporting positive signs.

The google modis fire detection map (which depicts recent major fire activity) shows a spot of fire southwest of Mt. Wilson that looks near the very top of Eaton Canyon. According to the map, fire in this area occurred 12-24 hours ago. I hope that means the fire is on its way out. I don't see any other active fire spots on the map on the south face of the mountains. The fire seems headed north-east behind Mt. Wilson.

I have the press of work this morning. But I hope to later post some thoughts about last year's Chantry Flats Fire, the current Station Fire and fire blogging.

Station Fire -- Tuesday Morning

Seems we're settling into a routine of sorts -- very smoky mornings with clearing air and visibility in the afternoon. This morning we awoke again to lots of smoke and some ash falling.

According to the modis fire detection map on google, the fire has now moved south of the Mt. Wilson towers and observatory. The map shows fire to the north and south, kind of sandwiching the towers. Movement of the fire south of the towers is a new development. I have been watching for movement of the fire to the south slope of Mt.Wilson, which is due north of East Pasadena. So far, I haven't actually seen fire on the south slope of the mountains, but the map certainly shows that it has moved this way.

The Star News and others report that the fire won't be under control for two weeks. I look at the map and wonder where the fire will go in that time.

The pyrocummulus cloud caused by the heat of the fire has been spectacular and chilling at the same time. The photo above was taken yesterday afternoon from my office in downtown Pasadena. Petrea has a great photo out today.

Accuweather says we'll hit 104 today. That's off record heat (111 in 1955) but well above the normal high of 89.

Station Fire -- Monday Morning from East Pas

We awoke againt this morning to very strong smell of smoke. So much so that we did something we almost never do -- we turned on the air conditioner. Yesterday morning we had the same thick smoky air and it cleared by early afternoon. We'll see what happens today.

Meanwhile, we hear and read reports that sometime last night or today the fire should reach the transmitters high atop Mt. Wilson. Fire maps, like this one from google, show the fire bearing down on Mt. Wilson. We also keep checking the Mt. Wilson tower cam which, when its on, has tremendous photos. As of daybreak (photo above), the towers were visible and we didn't see flames.

I've since gone into work and am writing this from my fourth floor north-facing office in downtown Pas. Though just a few miles away, the mountains are entirely concealed by gray-brown smoke.

Lots of local bloggers are doing great work on this fire and we check them reqularly. Altadenablog has been the lead dog and a great source of information. Ben at the sky is big has a list of local bloggers following the fire, including yours truly.

Station Fire -- From Hastings Village

We awoke today to the strong smell of smoke, which thankfully has dissipated. But the fire seems to have spread east and north as this view from the Hastings Village shows. If you zoom in you can see the towers of Mt. Wilson shrouded in smoke. The Mt. Wilson tower cam has had some tremendous shots of the towers with a smoky backdrop.

Update: The Tower Cam is back up and now shows flames behind the transmission towers. (8/31 at 5:00 am)

Station Fire -- DC 10 Super Tanker

From our house we watched airplanes and helicopters fly to and from the Station Fire, which is burning west and north of Pasadena. By far the biggest plane in the sky was this orange and white tanker that flew probably a dozen or more missions. Based on a quick search, I think this is a DC 10 Super Tanker. Photos and film of the tanker are here. According to 10tanker.com, the plane can carry 12,000 gallons of water or fire retardant and is a "game changer."



I was amazed at how low this huge plane was flying. On this shot, I just leaned back and looked up.

In other fire related news, we just took in some chickens that have been displaced. So far all birds seem to be on their best behavior. More tomorrow.