California Wildfires Burn throughout Southern California (ROUGH DRAFT)
By Evan Delgado and Justin Park
Over the past month, wild fires have raged across California, consuming hundreds of thousands of acres, destroying homes, and taking the lives of two firemen. By far the largest of these fires was the Station Fire which started on August 26 and grew to an astonishing size of 150,000 acres, making it the largest fire in LA County Modern history. The wildfires arrived earlier than expected, in august rather than October.
The earliest fire was thought to have begun in the Angeles National Forest near Morris Dam on the 25th of August as a result of either arson or negligence. The Morris Fire burned 2,168 acres before being successfully contained September 3. A day after the Morris Fire began, the Station Fire started in the Angeles National Forest near mile marker 29 on the Angeles Crest Freeway and was also believed to be arson. The Station fire spread unusually fast without the help of the hot and dry Santa Ana winds that are known to occur in October. The fire first reached La Cañada Flintridge from the Angeles Crest Freeway, and on August 29th split, heading for Altadena and west towards Briggs Terrace and Crescenta Valley. Briggs Terrace was nearly surrounded by the fierce flames and the radio towers on Mt. Lukens were threatened. Three days later, the fire headed northwest towards other communities. As the fire approached Tujunga, LA County Sheriff Deputies evacuated homes along the hillside. The fire gradually started to be contained by the efforts of the firefighters.
On September 2, a tragedy occurred. Firefighters Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones lost their lives while fighting the Station Fire when their truck careened down a mountain. Firefighters spent their morning on September 4 at the Station Fire Command Station with their heads bowed down in remembrance of their fallen comrades Hall and Quinones, sharing stories of their memories with their friends. These wildfires have taken so much from so many people in a matter of days. Homes lay in charred piles of wood and memories while massive sums of money have been spent on containment and evacuation efforts. The fires were distinguishable by the massive, foreboding plumes of smoke, which caused many to fear the possibility of the fire endangering their homes. Although by September 6th the fire had begun to be contained, it had already done more damage than any other fire in LA County. The Fire even burned a quarter of the Angeles National Forest, closing it indefinitely and leftswaths of forest burned to a crisp. People in the area have mourned the amazing natural wonders which have been destroyed and the escapism it offered from the big city.
As the fire spread and threatened many communities, Firefighters employed many of their various techniques to contain the blaze. In addition to using water, seeking out “hotspots”, and attempting to smother the fire with materials dropped from helicopters and planes, they used the tactic of fighting fire with fire. Although it is risky, this technique had high results, and helped contain the fire by burning out certain areas with controlled blazes so the main fires would be stopped in their tracks. Fighting the fire did not come without cost however. By early September, the fire had cost the government of California over 43 million dollars. Although the fire no longer posed a threat to homes as of September 7th, it was still blazing through the San Gabriel. Although the fire effort was costly, it was essential. Although two brave firefighters gave their lives, there were no civilian fatalities.
By Evan Delgado and Justin Park
Over the past month, wild fires have raged across California, consuming hundreds of thousands of acres, destroying homes, and taking the lives of two firemen. By far the largest of these fires was the Station Fire which started on August 26 and grew to an astonishing size of 150,000 acres, making it the largest fire in LA County Modern history. The wildfires arrived earlier than expected, in august rather than October.
The earliest fire was thought to have begun in the Angeles National Forest near Morris Dam on the 25th of August as a result of either arson or negligence. The Morris Fire burned 2,168 acres before being successfully contained September 3. A day after the Morris Fire began, the Station Fire started in the Angeles National Forest near mile marker 29 on the Angeles Crest Freeway and was also believed to be arson. The Station fire spread unusually fast without the help of the hot and dry Santa Ana winds that are known to occur in October. The fire first reached La Cañada Flintridge from the Angeles Crest Freeway, and on August 29th split, heading for Altadena and west towards Briggs Terrace and Crescenta Valley. Briggs Terrace was nearly surrounded by the fierce flames and the radio towers on Mt. Lukens were threatened. Three days later, the fire headed northwest towards other communities. As the fire approached Tujunga, LA County Sheriff Deputies evacuated homes along the hillside. The fire gradually started to be contained by the efforts of the firefighters.
On September 2, a tragedy occurred. Firefighters Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones lost their lives while fighting the Station Fire when their truck careened down a mountain. Firefighters spent their morning on September 4 at the Station Fire Command Station with their heads bowed down in remembrance of their fallen comrades Hall and Quinones, sharing stories of their memories with their friends. These wildfires have taken so much from so many people in a matter of days. Homes lay in charred piles of wood and memories while massive sums of money have been spent on containment and evacuation efforts. The fires were distinguishable by the massive, foreboding plumes of smoke, which caused many to fear the possibility of the fire endangering their homes. Although by September 6th the fire had begun to be contained, it had already done more damage than any other fire in LA County. The Fire even burned a quarter of the Angeles National Forest, closing it indefinitely and leftswaths of forest burned to a crisp. People in the area have mourned the amazing natural wonders which have been destroyed and the escapism it offered from the big city.
As the fire spread and threatened many communities, Firefighters employed many of their various techniques to contain the blaze. In addition to using water, seeking out “hotspots”, and attempting to smother the fire with materials dropped from helicopters and planes, they used the tactic of fighting fire with fire. Although it is risky, this technique had high results, and helped contain the fire by burning out certain areas with controlled blazes so the main fires would be stopped in their tracks. Fighting the fire did not come without cost however. By early September, the fire had cost the government of California over 43 million dollars. Although the fire no longer posed a threat to homes as of September 7th, it was still blazing through the San Gabriel. Although the fire effort was costly, it was essential. Although two brave firefighters gave their lives, there were no civilian fatalities.