Lori Paul of the Chaney Trail neighborhood has send out this timely message to the newsgroups, and a copy of this flyer:
Dear Trail Users & Foothill Neighbors,
We are ramping up to the Independence Day holiday next weekend. Last night I heard firecrackers going off down in the ravine east of us. As in recent years, the chaparral is desiccating rapidly as summer heat begins, with no forecast of rain anytime soon. The fire hazard is currently high in Angeles National Forest and the foothills surrounding our homes. Recalling the 20 acre Alta Fire (allegedly set by teenagers with firecrackers) at the Cobb Estate on 9 July 2006; the Lowe Fire near the same location on 26 August 2007 (photo below); the big Sierra Madre Fire only 7 miles east of Altadena (as the crow flies or the wind blows!) on 26 April 2008 that burned over 584 acres... and the many other wildfires in Southern California since 2008... there is reason to be concerned.
[Photo courtesy of ABC News Online]
Visitors who come from other locales to watch fireworks displays or to celebrate Independence Day with BBQs and fireworks are not always well informed about the fire risk in Angeles Forest and our hillside neighborhoods. We remain one firecracker or cigarette away from a catastrophic wildfire. Raising public awareness of the danger may help prevent a fire from starting or result in a fire getting reported soon enough to be stoppable.
To help educate 4th of July visitors, an updated Visitor Fire Prevention Flyer will be available this week from “Take One” dispensers located at:
-- Chaney Trail Gate
One
page flyers and brochures provided by the Sheriffs and Fire Department
regarding illegal fireworks and shooting into the air (a really dumb
idea) will also be in the dispensers, as quantities last. We will also
get flyers to Lonnie Fehr that he can hand-out in Millard Canyon
campground ...
Thanks to our local fire station for reviewing the flyer text and for providing "No Fireworks" signs to post up Chaney Trail. Supervisor Antonovich's office has also provided signs. For the last two years, the Visitor Fire Prevention Flyer has been made possible through donations from local residents. Rob and I print quite a few color copies with our printer. Several other neighbors have printed out enough additional copies to keep the dispensers full during the holiday, while other residents hiked up the hill to check and stock dispensers. Thank you to all the "usual suspects." ...
As some of you already know, the Chaney Trail Gate will be locked early (at 6:00pm) later this week to prevent motorized vehicle entry up Chaney Trail during late afternoon and evenings over the holiday period. We have been told that turnouts between the Chaney Trail Gate and the campground will have "Temporary No Parking" easels blocking them so that day users will not be tempted to BBQ or set off fireworks in those turnouts adjacent to dry brush. Chaney Trail access to the Forest will remain open for pedestrians, mountain bikers, and horse riders during the 4th of July holiday. Those who have reserved sites in Millard Canyon campground will be allowed in, as well.
The weather forecast this week is for dry, hot temperatures in the 90s. Please be especially vigilant for smoke and illegal use of fireworks. If you see suspicious or unsafe behavior, please call the Sheriffs at 626.798.1131 or 9-1-1, as appropriate.
Special thanks to the Altadena Sheriffs; local County Fire Stations; County Dept. of Public Works; the USFS Fire Department; USFS LEOs; local Fire Safe Councils; and all the neighbors, cabin owners, and other volunteers who will be watching over the Forest and our homes this coming week. We appreciate all the extra time, effort, and expense spent on behalf of our safety.
Respectfully,
Lori L. Paul
Resident, Chaney Trail Neighborhood
We are ramping up to the Independence Day holiday next weekend. Last night I heard firecrackers going off down in the ravine east of us. As in recent years, the chaparral is desiccating rapidly as summer heat begins, with no forecast of rain anytime soon. The fire hazard is currently high in Angeles National Forest and the foothills surrounding our homes. Recalling the 20 acre Alta Fire (allegedly set by teenagers with firecrackers) at the Cobb Estate on 9 July 2006; the Lowe Fire near the same location on 26 August 2007 (photo below); the big Sierra Madre Fire only 7 miles east of Altadena (as the crow flies or the wind blows!) on 26 April 2008 that burned over 584 acres... and the many other wildfires in Southern California since 2008... there is reason to be concerned.
[Photo courtesy of ABC News Online]
Visitors who come from other locales to watch fireworks displays or to celebrate Independence Day with BBQs and fireworks are not always well informed about the fire risk in Angeles Forest and our hillside neighborhoods. We remain one firecracker or cigarette away from a catastrophic wildfire. Raising public awareness of the danger may help prevent a fire from starting or result in a fire getting reported soon enough to be stoppable.
To help educate 4th of July visitors, an updated Visitor Fire Prevention Flyer will be available this week from “Take One” dispensers located at:
-- Chaney Trail Gate
-- Altadena Crest Trail junction on Chaney Trail
-- Sunset Ridge Fire Road trail parking area at the top of Chaney Trail (attached to the Adventure Pass & info. sign). One
page flyers and brochures provided by the Sheriffs and Fire Department
regarding illegal fireworks and shooting into the air (a really dumb
idea) will also be in the dispensers, as quantities last. We will also
get flyers to Lonnie Fehr that he can hand-out in Millard Canyon
campground ... Thanks to our local fire station for reviewing the flyer text and for providing "No Fireworks" signs to post up Chaney Trail. Supervisor Antonovich's office has also provided signs. For the last two years, the Visitor Fire Prevention Flyer has been made possible through donations from local residents. Rob and I print quite a few color copies with our printer. Several other neighbors have printed out enough additional copies to keep the dispensers full during the holiday, while other residents hiked up the hill to check and stock dispensers. Thank you to all the "usual suspects." ...
As some of you already know, the Chaney Trail Gate will be locked early (at 6:00pm) later this week to prevent motorized vehicle entry up Chaney Trail during late afternoon and evenings over the holiday period. We have been told that turnouts between the Chaney Trail Gate and the campground will have "Temporary No Parking" easels blocking them so that day users will not be tempted to BBQ or set off fireworks in those turnouts adjacent to dry brush. Chaney Trail access to the Forest will remain open for pedestrians, mountain bikers, and horse riders during the 4th of July holiday. Those who have reserved sites in Millard Canyon campground will be allowed in, as well.
The weather forecast this week is for dry, hot temperatures in the 90s. Please be especially vigilant for smoke and illegal use of fireworks. If you see suspicious or unsafe behavior, please call the Sheriffs at 626.798.1131 or 9-1-1, as appropriate.
Special thanks to the Altadena Sheriffs; local County Fire Stations; County Dept. of Public Works; the USFS Fire Department; USFS LEOs; local Fire Safe Councils; and all the neighbors, cabin owners, and other volunteers who will be watching over the Forest and our homes this coming week. We appreciate all the extra time, effort, and expense spent on behalf of our safety.
Respectfully,
Lori L. Paul
Resident, Chaney Trail Neighborhood
