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Latest reports indicated that the fire has now burned more than 490 acres. Only one small structure has been damaged. The fire is more than 20 percent contained and fire officials expect to need 5-7 days for full containment. Approximately 1000 people have been evacuated, and more are scheduled. For a map of the area burned, click here.
Photo by ssladybug

As you may have noticed, there is quite a bit of smoke in the air, and flames are visible on the hills above Santa Anita Canyon Road. According to the City of Sierra Madre’s website, which will be continuing to post the latest information, there is a mandatory evacuation for residents above Grandview. The fire has burned 21 acres and there have been no fire-related injuries as of this writing.

Those evacuating have been directed to go to the Hart Senior Park House at 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Firefighters expect to have the fire contained within 24 hours. It is spreading north very slowly.

I drove up Santa Anita a little ways to gauge the fire danger, but unfortunately don’t have good enough camera equipment to get a photo. I saw a couple of determined souls with tripods hoping to get a photo of the blaze. I didn’t stay long as lots of other people had the same idea and the traffic was getting heavy on Santa Anita, and I didn’t want to be part of a headache for police and residents. The smoke was thick enough to come through my air conditioner, and I was happy to get down below back to Monrovia.

Fingers crossed that the firefighters have good luck tonight putting out the flames, as tomorrow’s expected 96-degree heat won’t be helping matters.

Photo by el3ctone

What is is about the first warm, er, sort of hot (for Monrovia) day that gets people a little panicky? Or a bit cranky, or perhaps, nuts? Two friends of mine both remarked how crazy the drivers out there have been today, the first (dare I say) really warm day we have had. It’s a preview of what is inevitably to come this summer, and I think it gets under our skin more than we’d like.

My friend said people were driving very erratically today, cutting in front of her, braking fast, making illegal turns, suddenly coming out of nowhere. Sounds like panic to me.

I have only lived here for about 5 years, but I already know that there are times when I can be lulled into thinking that maybe all the weather changes will mean that this summer won’t really be hot after all. Then, one day, you step out of doors into an oven, and realize that it’s is a preview of three months of crispy heat that will rattle your calm on the best days.

While I was listening to one friend discuss the crazy drivers today, another friend beeped in and told me that just moments after her aunt was driving home in a brand new Lexus, someone ran a red light and plowed right into her, totalling her new car. Luckily, she wasn’t seriously hurt, just a bit shaken up and startled.

I’m telling you, there’s something in the air.