Lab 7 - Fire

The Los Angeles Station Fire of 2009 began its flames in the Angeles National Forest, just north of Pasadena and south of Palmdale. The fire burned well over 150,000 acres, destroyed more than 200 structures, about 90 of those residential homes. Fortunately, the area is a national forest, so there were not many residential communities that were situated within the main perimeter of the flames. The fire did, however, threaten many nearby communities, including La Cañada, Glendale, La Crescenta, Sunland, and Tujunga. 

Within the perimeter of the fire, there were many recreational and business establishments, however.  Certain cafes and summer camps were destroyed, including Hidden Springs Cafe and Camp Colby. Camp Clear Creek was saved however. It is a camp for LAUSD students who go to for a week and spend time doing many leadership and outdoor activities. I know this because I participated in this program one year. Within the perimeter of the fire, there are no more than 5 residential homes and unfortunately two were damaged.

Authorities say the fire was started by arson on August 26th around 3pm. The lives of two firefighters were claimed as a result of the inferno. It was the largest fire in about 100 years. The thick trees helped keep the fire burning because of their ability to trap heat. The brushes in the area only helped to spread the fire, as did the grasses. Also, due to the remote location of the fire, there were not very much water sources in the nearby area.
Many communities were ordered to be evacuated. Due to the harm from the flames and even the debris, smoke, and ashes, people were urged to evacuate their homes.

Overall, the fire was a difficult challenge for firefighters. It destroyed many homes, buildings, and even claimed the lives of a couple firefighters. Fortunately, the fire began in a forest in a remote area, far from a very populated community.

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