LOS ANGELES (KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO) — Several stretches of road that were damaged and closed because of the Station Fire are finally being re-opened at this hour. They include parts of the Angeles Forest Highway, Angeles Crest Highway, and roads through Big Tujunga Canyon.
But transportation officials are warning that those roads could be closed AGAIN during rainy periods, because of the potential danger of debris or mud flows in the burned-out areas.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: angeles national forest, snow in los angeles, Station fire
Angeles National Forest Winter of '08 | Photo by Ilana Gustafson Turner
One of my favorite locations in all of Los Angeles, the Angeles National Forest, as you know has been through one of the worst fires in recent history. There have been a lot of questions sent my way regarding the status of the trails and roads. According to their report, access to the Angeles Forest will be limited to residents and forest workers through winter. I will be sure to keep you posted as to any changes to this plan. Below you will find answers to some other Frequently Asked Questions posted by the National Forest. For now, please see our list of parks on the right column as many of these parks offer incredibly beautiful hiking opportunities as well.
For the full report visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/station/BAER/ANF%20Station%20Fire%20FAQs%2011%2004%2009%20Final.pdf
STATION FIRE INFORMATION – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:How and when did the Station Fire start? On Thursday afternoon, August 26, 2009, the Station Fire started on the Angeles National Forest, approximately 4 miles north of the town of La Cañada Flintridge, along the Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2) in Southern California. The wildfire was determined to be human caused – to be the act of arson, and has the distinction of being the largest fire in Los Angeles County to-date.
Q:How many wildfires occur on each year on the Angeles National Forest?
This year there have been 162 wildfires on the Angeles National Forest, only 2 of which escaped initial attack (the Morris and Station fires). While these two fires were burning, the Forest had 21 new fire starts — all of which were caught (fully contained) at initial attack. As with all fires on the Angeles National Forest, the objective for firefighters was to put the fire out as safely and as quickly as possible.
Q:What is the size of the burned acres for the Station Fire?
The fire burned approximately 161,000 acres. Approximately 154,000 acres of Forest Service System and 6,700 acres of private lands were burned by the fire.
Q:What was the total cost of the Station Fire?
As of October 17, 2009, the cost to fully contain the fire is approximately $95,300,000.
FIRE DAMAGE
Q:How many Forest Service structures were destroyed or damaged by the Station Fire? Forest Service property that were entirely destroyed or damaged by the Station Fire are: 11 garages; 13 restroom facilities; 5 waste facilities; 1 lookout; 7 barracks; 2 communication sites; 2 pump houses; 10 water tanks; 6 bridges; 7 residences; 2 retaining walls; and 12 misc. buildings.
Q:Where is the destroyed and damaged Forest Service property located within the
burned area of the Station Fire?
All of the Forest Service structures in the Mill Creek area were entirely destroyed. Partially destroyed Forest Service structures were the Big Tujunga Fire Station and structures located in the Clear Creek, Red Box, Shortcut, Monte Cristo, North Fork, Chilao areas.
Q:How many (non-forest service) structures were destroyed or damaged by the Station
Fire?
The Station Fire destroyed approximately 89 residences and damaged 13 residences. Approximately 26 commercial buildings were destroyed and 22 commercial buildings were damaged by the fire. Outbuildings that were destroyed by the Station Fire total 94 structures and 22 structures were damaged by the fire.
Q:Were Forest Service campgrounds damaged by the Station Fire?
The Station Fire did damage many Forest Service campgrounds within the burned area of the fire.
Q:Which Forest Service campgrounds were damaged by the Station Fire?
Forest Service campgrounds damaged by the Station Fire are: Monte Cristo, Mt. Pacifico, Messenger Flats, Chilao, Valley Forge, West Fork, Devore, Millard and Gould Mesa. Forest Service picnic areas damaged by the fire are: Wildwood, Vogel Flat, Stoneyvale, Pines and Switzer.
FIRE IMPACTS
Q:How did the Station Fire impact the road system within the burned area? After the wildfire swept through the burned area, roads were left without guard rails, and regulatory and safety road signage making them unsafe for regular traffic. The damage to the surrounding land and hillsides also made the roads vulnerable to debris flow hazards during rain storm conditions. Because of this public safety danger, roads within the burned area are only open to residents, agency personnel, and construction crews. When storm forecasts for the burned area are issued, access to the Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2), Big Tujunga Canyon Road, and Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road may be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and Los Angeles County personnel.
Q:How did the Station Fire impact public recreation opportunities?
The fire burned acres within both the San Gabriel and Pleasant View Ridge Wildernesses.
Q:What are the effects on wildlife from the Station Fire? How do wildfires affect wildlife? Some animals on the edge of wildfires escape the flames by fleeing into unburned areas. Those farther from the fire perimeter probably did not have time to get out of the area successfully. When an intense fire is burning, it is a very confusing and scary place, resulting in panic-stricken animals. If you imagine yourself in a thick fog trying to find your way out, you can see how confusing it would be for animals trying to escape flames and dense smoke. After the Station Fire, Forest Service personnel have found many animals that perished or were severely injured, including bear, deer, bobcats, woodrats, coyotes, and birds. Some were not touched by flames but died from super-heated gases and lack of oxygen. Others lost their lives due to flames themselves.
Q:When will the fire damaged campgrounds be open to the public? Most campgrounds can be opened to the public when the Forest Closure is ended, even though some features are fire-damaged. Damaged tables, restrooms, etc. will be repaired or replaced within approximately six to nine months following availability of funds.
Q:How severe did the fire burn the soils and watershed?
Of the approximately 161,000 acres that were burned by the Station Fire, 18,100 acres were unburned/very low severity; 25,400 acres were low severity; 100,600 acres were moderate severity; and 16,900 acres were high severity burned.
FOREST CLOSURE WITHIN BURNED AREA
Q:Is the public allowed in the burned area of the Station Fire?
The burned area of the Angeles National Forest is closed to through traffic and the general public, except for residents that live within the burned area, utility companies, and state and local agencies.
Q:How long will the Angeles National Forest be closed to the public?
The burned area will remain closed through the winter storm season to keep the public out of harm’s way from flood/mud/debris flows, falling rocks and raveling hillslopes. We need the public’s support to keep out of the burned area for safety, and for watershed protection and recovery.
Last Updated: 11.04.2009
LONG-TERM RECOVERY EFFORTS
Q: What does the Forest Service plan to do for the recovery of the burned area of the Station Fire? The Forest Service utilizes non-emergency actions that are done within 3-years or more after fire containment to improve fire-damaged lands that are unlikely to recover naturally and to repair federal structures damaged by the fire that are not critical to life and safety. These actions may include restoring burned wildlife habitat, replacing burned fences, interpreting cultural sites, treating pre-existing noxious weed infestations, and installing interpretive signs.
Categories: News
Tagged: angeles national forest, hiking in los angeles, outdoor activities, outdoor recreation, outdoors los angeles, Station fire
Check out this L.A. Times article about this wonderful program:
Young Californians have two more weeks to grab a paint brush, camera or pen, spend time with some of their wild neighbors and create a potential winner in the Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest.
The Canadian program was imported to California this year under the sponsorship of the U.S. Forest Service, National Wildlife Federation, California State Parks and more than two dozen other organizations that want children to have some face time with nature.
Students can submit works of art, writing or photography to the contest, which is open to California youngsters no older than 18.
The program was launched in 2000 by Canadian artist and naturalist Robert Bateman, known for his wildlife paintings.
Winners will be awarded prizes and their entries will be published in the 2011 contest calendar and on the Get to Know website.
For entry details, go to http://gettoknow.ca/us/contest/enter.php
– Bettina Boxall
Categories: News
Tagged: activities, art contest, Events, nature activities, nature deficit disorder, outdoor activites, outdoors los angeles
“Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.” - Albert Schweitzer |Photo by Ilana Gustafson Turner
We are smack dab in the middle of fall ladies and gentlemen, tots and teens! It’s time to celebrate the harvest and head out on the trails before the cold winter weather keeps us all indoors… Oh… wait… this is L.A. I’m writing about. Well, it’s time to head outdoors (as always) and see what Los Angeles nature has to offer this time of year. I can tell you it could come in the form of bugs and birds, acorns and kitchen scraps. See for yourself:
HOLY (SM)OAKS!
On Saturday 11/14 and Sunday 11/15 celebrate this little oak tree nut and the Fall harvest at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens‘ Acorn Festival from 10 am – 4pm. Tongva, Chumash, Cahuilla and other native people will share their dances, storytelling and culture. Activities, crafts and a marketplace add to this very special family event. Space is limited. Pre-registration recommended: 909-625-8767, Ext. 224 or email registrar@rsabg.org. Members free. Adult: $8/person. Student/Senior: $6/person. Child (3-12 yrs.): $4/each.
BUGGIN’ OUT!
On Saturday 11/21 head on over to Sooky Goldman Nature Center for Bugs and Their Adventures. Follow an entomologists’ lead as you seek, observe, and get to know the local bugs that roam Franklin Canyon. From 10 am – 1pm. FREE
And if your child’s bug fascination is not satiated with this excursion you can always head to the Invertebrate Exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo.
Or head out on one of the many local trails (see our list of parks in the column on the right) in search of the vertebrate-less creatures that make up 97% of the species out there!
THE BIRD IS THE WORD!
Maybe you’ve got an avid aviary fan on your hands. Well, Debs Park and Audubon Center in Notheastern L.A. is a great place to have fun while learning all about birds! You can take your child to their beautiful nature center which sits on over 300 acres of oak woodland and catch sight of one of the over 150 species of birds found at the park. Or you can take part in one of their on-going nature events. They offer programs in both English and Spanish. Most events are FREE.
ABC recently visited this special place. Here is the footage of their segment on Deb’s:
WE EAT NATURE TOO!
Perhaps you have a plot of dirt that you want your kids to turn into a vegetable garden! Or perhaps you have always wanted to start or join a community garden. Well, one of the first steps is teaching yourself and your children some important lessons in gardening. Here are two opportunities to do so:
On Saturday 11/14 Vista Hermosa Park, located just outside of Downtown L.A., is hosting a workshop for children in both Spanish and English on How to Create a Beautiful Garden Using Kitchen Scraps from 3:30 – 5:30pm. You’ll learn about how to use worms and food scraps to create a luscious, scrumptious garden. Meet in the Grotto Amphitheater. FREE
The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden has plenty of gardening games, lessons, and activities for your child every Sunday from 11am-3pm in their Kid’s Adventure Garden that will turn your little one’s thumb as green as a leprechaun’s.
-Ilana Gustafson Turner
Categories: Events
Tagged: activities, audubon, birdwatching, botanical gardens, calendar, Los angeles birds, los angeles parks, nature activities, nature deficit disorder, outdoor activites, outdoor events
