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More details from the city, plus information about making donations to help the city pay for the fire fighting efforts.

You can contribute to the Santa Anita Fire Fund through the Sierra Madre Community Foundation.  To donate, click here for the form.  Checks should be made out to SMCF/CCF with “Santa Anita Fire Fund” in the memo.

Fill out the form and mail it with your donation to:

SIERRA  MADRE  COMMUNITY  FOUNDATION
PO Box  716,  Sierra  Madre,  CA  91025

- All evacuation orders, for Sierra Madre residents only, were lifted as of 12 pm on Tuesday, April 29th.

- As of 6 am today, April 30th, all evacuation orders are lifted in Sierra Madre.

- Chantry Flats, Bailey Canyon Park and Mount Wilson Trail, are closed until further notice.

- The Sierra Madre Community Center and Youth Activity Center have reopened.  The pool is closed until Saturday.

- All schools are back in session.

- Fire Containment is estimated at 88%

- Current weather conditions are favorable, with low wind speed, lower temperatures, and humidity at 30%, predicted.

- Estimated full containment on Friday, May 2nd.

-  Acreage is estimated at 584 acres.

Below is the latest from the city.  If you want more detail about evacuations or schools, check out InciWeb.org.

As of Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 6:00 a.m. PST, the Santa Anita Fire has burned 584 acres north of Sierra Madre, CA. Approximately 238 acres are on National Forest System land within the Angeles National Forest, and 346 acres are within the corporate boundary of the City of Sierra Madre.

The fire is currently 88% contained.

All evacuations in the City of Sierra Madre have been lifted - all schools are back in session.

Where we live in Sierra Madre, we can’t see any fire, and we’ve even opened our windows for a little air.

Now, we’re more concerned for our friend in Hastings Ranch (in Pasadena). The fire is apparently becoming more of a threat to the west of us.
Here are three links for the latest information on which evacuees can return home, school closures and more:

SierraMadreNews.net

InciWeb.org

Sierra Madre official site

I ran into a friend this morning in town, and he mentioned a photo he took on Saturday night. It’s a dramatic photo that captures our town center, with the flames ominous in the hills above. Thanks for sending it in, Jim!

Photo by James Dyer. Taken in Sierra Madre, CA, Saturday, April 26, 2008. (Click to view larger.)

*Update, Monday, April 28, 5:45 p.m.

I can’t see any smoke from my window right now, but as we learned last night, this doesn’t necessarily mean anything. The air smells less smoky, too.

I haven’t received any new press releases, but I did find a worthwhile section on the Pasadena Star-News site. The Google map is helpful, and if you scroll down to “More News,” you’ll see the most recent story about the new evacuation areas in Pasadena and more. There is also information about the Sierra Madre folks who can go home now.

And here’s a link to SierraMadreNews.net, where Bill Coburn refuses to sleep.

The latest press release follows.  You can also read an update on the city’s website.

Santa Anita Fire Update
April 28, 2008
On Scene Contact: Marc Peebles, PIO SCIIMT #3
626-821-6700

Fire Status: Active
Location: City of Sierra Madre Foothills
Acres Burned: 490
Cause:  Under Investigation
Full Containment Expected: in 5-7 days
Percent Contained: 23%
Date Started: April 26, 2007 (3:00pm)
Injuries:  2 Minor

Resources:
Hand crews 19
Engines  56
Helicopters  3
Water Tenders  3
Air Tankers 3
Dozers   2

Total personnel assigned to fire: 564

The Santa Anita Fire started on Saturday April 26, 2008 at approximately 3:00pm in the foothills of City of Sierra Madre located adjacent to the Angeles National Forest. The fire spread quickly upslope in both a northwesterly and northeasterly direction due to warm temperatures, wind and low humidity. Fire crews both in the air and on the ground are aggressively fighting the fire. Fire Crews continue to construct containment line and provide for structure protection in the City of Sierra Madre

Effective at 6:00pm on Sunday April 27, 2008 Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the fire. Residents may continue to see fire and smell smoke from this fire.

Approximately 1000 people have been evacuated from approximately 400 residences. The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Hart Park House, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. The number for the American Red Cross shelter is 626-799-0841.

Last evening the fire burned down canyon in a south / southwesterly direction toward structures; firefighters were able to backfire out around structures and were able to conduct direct attack fire suppression in and around the threatened structures. There was no structure loss last evening.

Evacuations:
Oakcrest Drive across Carter Ave to East Mira Monte Avenue, continuing down Mountain Trail Avenue, across Grandview Avenue to Santa Anita Avenue.

Road Closures:
Carter Avenue to East Mira Monte Avenue and all streets north
Grandview Avenue from Mountain Trail to Santa Anita Avenue and all streets north

Trail Closures:
All trails leaving from Chantry Flats
Mount Wilson Trail

Incident Priorities:
To provide for public and firefighter safety.
Be sensitive to the concerns of the public and communities at risk and keep them informed.
Protect threatened and endangered species.
Fiscal responsibility will be factored into fire line decision making

Weather, Fire Behavior and smoke Conditions:
Warmer temperatures, low humidity, mild to moderate slope driven winds are expected today.

Agencies Involved:
US Forest Service (USFS), City of Sierra Madre Fire Department, California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal-Fire), City of Sierra Madre Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3
Dave Fiorella, Steve Heydorff, Marilyn Diaz, Don Rodriguez
Unified Incident Commanders