I love the radio guys. Apparently the firefighters found a grow house on the 30000 block of Longview Road and called in the deputies. Since there are only three houses on that block, which one do you think it is? My guess is the immaculate one without a bunch of crap in the yard.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 4:05 pm
by HikeUp
Flared up again a few hours ago on the N/NE side of Wilson and now it's making a run up towards Redbox.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 4:38 pm
by walker
Flared up again a few hours ago on the N/NE side of Wilson and now it's making a run up towards Redbox.
On the timelapse link, you can see the flareup start around 12:30 and then it promptly jumps to the north side of the canyon and begins to march east into the shortcut canyon, west fork campground area.
Basically......not to worry there will be new oaks will grow and people can still wear their masks for hiking.
Can you imagine the press conference?
Q: When will the trail open up?
A: Well...you know, this Bobcat fire...
Q: I thought the Fish fire was the one that burnt it?
A: Oh...well, hey, we are working on the Sayre fire. Hey, good news...its the San Gabriel monument!
Q: And also the bullet train?
A: Yeah, and did I mention the environmental justice work? We got the new improved East Fork plan right at the top. You are going to walk on that glass walkway of the Solis & Chu Center and see the permanent forest..its going to be amazing!
Q: So about that South Fork trail....
A; Where? I still have taken the heli ride yet....so I havent see the mountains yet.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:40 pm
by walker
Looks like the fire may be making its way up Rush Creek now approaching the Observatory from the north:
I just checked last night's footage and it looks like they set a backfire yesterday evening at the doorstep of the Observatory in the vicinity of the Rim Trail. Hopefully that will protect things on that side.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:04 pm
by walker
In current images, you can see a ridge in front of the flames so it appears the heart of the atomic blast is in shortcut canyon... I think.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:58 pm
by La Chiva
Anthony wrote: ↑Not sure if these pics have been shared yet. This guy has posted a lot of shots from ACH corridor.
Thanks for linking these, they look great! Not the hellscape we all feared. Yes!
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:50 am
by Sean
AW~ wrote: ↑
ANF pic with no description other than mentioning Buckhorn and Sawpit....someone chime in if they know the location, but I think this is Kratka ridge from Hwy39
Pretty sure you're right. I don't have any photos of Kratka from the 39. But I found Ca Hiker's YT video from Jarvi Memorial Vista. At 2:41 he gets this view from the end of the trail.
Those two large rock formations seem to match the ones in the ANF pic. (A smaller third one makes a distinctive triangle shape.) Close analysis suggests the ANF pic was taken from a similar elevation and distance but further to the south, which could explain the different appearances of the rock shapes.
There's also this ANF pic that shows some of the retaining/guard wall from that general location. Perhaps someone recognizes the wall. Is it the sort used along the 39?
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:57 am
by Anthony
Sean wrote: ↑There's also this ANF pic that shows some of the retaining/guard wall from that general location. Perhaps someone recognizes the wall. Is it the sort used along the 39?
Screenshot_2020-09-12-07-11-29~2.png
I recall seeing walls like that on the 39, just west of the south gate.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:36 am
by Sean
Chris Kasten blogged about Big Santa Anita Canyon and has some overview photos. It looks like many of the trees along the canyon bottom survived. So there's some hope for the cabins. I guess the FS still hasn't gone in there though.
(Photo from anonymous firefighter at Chantry Flat.)
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 1:26 pm
by HikeUp
Valley Forge area now I think.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 1:27 pm
by HikeUp
Maybe even Barley Flats (what's left of it!).
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 1:34 pm
by davidwiese
Nearly the entire Silver Moccasin Trail has burned. Glad I managed to thruhike it a couple years ago.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 3:03 pm
by Sean
Here is the official YouTube channel for the Bobcat Fire. They'll be livestreaming the public meeting tonight at 6:30pm.
The west front is reburning Station Fire territory, threatening Colby Camp. The east front is heading into higher country, near Sheep Mountain Wilderness.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 3:31 pm
by ReFreshing
Seems to be flaring up nearly every day now. Fire is within reach of Red Box if the winds allow it.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 4:53 pm
by Sean
It's also threatening Wilson again from the north.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 5:40 pm
by dima
Is anybody getting phone warnings about evacuating Camp Colby? I guess this thing is headed that way.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 7:28 pm
by JeffH
dima wrote: ↑Is anybody getting phone warnings about evacuating Camp Colby? I guess this thing is headed that way.
I got one last night saying it was headed toward Pacifico.
I know, not helpful. But it's the only one I have received about this or any nearby fire.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 7:33 pm
by walker
Looking a little bit close for comfort:
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:01 pm
by walker
Seems to have come up both Rush Creek and Rattlesnake Trail and is now surrounding communications facilities.
I'm starting to wonder if Camp Hi-Hill/Opid's Camp will survive this one.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:11 pm
by walker
If this doesn't just sum up the Los Angeles apocalypse genre, I don't know what does:
The sun sets over the sparkling city lights and burning embers under a moonlit sky...
dima wrote: ↑Is anybody getting phone warnings about evacuating Camp Colby? I guess this thing is headed that way.
I got one last night saying it was headed toward Pacifico.
I know, not helpful. But it's the only one I have received about this or any nearby fire.
I received the Pacifico one last night and the Colby one tonight. My wife got the colby one much earlier today.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:27 pm
by AW~
This time there is no helis...interesting its still considered safe...that they have a way to escape if it comes to that. I dont see any trap but they arent for sure getting smoked out. Figure it would be hard to see in some parts.
Perhpas they are at west of the comm towers...
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:43 pm
by HikeUp
walker wrote: ↑Seems to have come up both Rush Creek and Rattlesnake Trail and is now surrounding communications facilities.
Going old school on us. Makes me curious as to when they changed the name from Rattlesnake Trail to Kenyon Devore Trail.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 10:06 pm
by walker
Makes me curious as to when they changed the name from Rattlesnake Trail to Kenyon Devore Trail.
I think it was in the late '90s after the trail's namesake had passed away?
Nice profile of the gentleman for whom the trail was renamed while he was still among the living:
I had somehow forgotten the Valley Forge Lodge/Devore family connection so I guess Kenyon really did start out life in the woods and never really left them behind.
I had somehow forgotten the Valley Forge Lodge/Devore family connection so I guess Kenyon really did start out life in the woods and never really left them behind.
Not sure why rattlesnake has stuck in my head...
I had the pleasure of working with Kenyon Devore from about 1970 until he retired from the LA County Flood Control, a finer fellow you will not find. He was the elder statesman of San Gabriel Canyon. He lived at the San Gabriel Dam upper camp until he retired. I would take care of some maintenance and repairs for him at the East Fork and North Fork at their respective gaging stations.
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2020 5:40 pm
by ReFreshing
walker wrote: ↑If this doesn't just sum up the Los Angeles apocalypse genre, I don't know what does:
The sun sets over the sparkling city lights and burning embers under a moonlit sky...Bobcat922.jpg
Are these intentional burns or part of the actual bobcat reaching the top?
Re: Bobcat Fire in West Fork
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:48 pm
by Taco
I know you were joking, Zoe, just my own embarrassment at my behavior is all. No offense taken, I still have fond memories of our times. I have my own judgement of my behavior. Anywho!
Anyone know of closure status at the moment? Is that smaller leg burning off 39 near the upper reservoir?