Environment

La Canada, Rancho Palos Verdes, Station Fires, Spreading (map)

by Amy Judd | August 28, 2009 at 10:31 am

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California is undergoing a state of emergency right now due to raging wildfires that have prompted evacuations, and echo the dangers of the 2007 wildfires in the region.

Map of the La Canada, Rancho Palos Verdes, Station Fires currently burning

The La Canada-Flintridge / Station area (map of the area), and Rancho Palos Verdes are both on fire at the moment, and with the weather so dry and hot, firefighters are having a hard time keeping any of the blazes contained.

The La Canada fires has burned about 1,500 acres and is anywhere between 5% and 20% contained at the moment.

Over 6,000 firefighters worked to fight the blazes; they were aided by units of the United States Armed Forces, United States National Guard, almost 3,000 prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes, and 60 firefighters from the Mexican cities of Tijuana and Tecate.

In Rancho Palos Verdes, about 2,000 people have been ordered to evacuate after about six homes have been singed, and in the La Canada area, about 500 homes have been evacuated as the fire has travelled down the San Gabriel Mountains.

The area under evacuation include those north of Vista del Valle Road and East of La Canada Blvd, as well as the nearby country club.

Governon Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in the area.

Evacuation centers have been set up at Crescenta Valley High School at 2900 Community Avenue in La Crescenta, and at La Canada High School.

Highway 2, Angeles Crest Highway, has been closed to Big Pines, and firefighters are also working on the nearby Morris Fire, which is 60% contained at the moment.

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