Are we ready for the afternoon? Yes we are!
This is the afternoon post split so Typepad doesn't freak out on everyone. To get today's full story, read
"Friday Firewatch AM" and comments.
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UPDATE 10:30 PM
Out and about today: We finally had a chance to take the camera around town today. Here's what we saw:
A pyrocumulus cloud (our Word of the Week) near Mt. Wilson, seen from the Webster's parking lot.
We were there to see Lori Webster to get the lowdown on the Altadena Arts Coalition event Saturday. Lori keeps Altadenablog on display at Webster's Fine Stationers.
We signed the sign at Lake and Loma Alta near the Cobb Estate. Whoever set it up thoughtfully left markers on the rock, lower right.
Another sign set up at Loma Alta and Chaney Trail.
And a special "thank you" to Carolyn Seitz, who sent us this gorgeous (and tasty!) fruit arrangement!
UPDATE 10 PM
Tonight's view from the Mt. Wilson towercam.
Gov ups the ante: Per the LA Times, Gov. Schwarzenegger has offered a $100,000 reward for the Station Fire arsonist.
Eaton Canyon park closed: per reader Melanie Symonds in the comments, who says the park will be used as a staging area thru the Labor Day weekend.
Next time, the ice cream's on Greg: Greg Sweet shares a pic:
I witnessed a crew of Forest Service firefighters coming out of the
Rite-Aid at Altadena & Lake. They saw me with my camera and turned
their backs as if they didn't deserve a cone each. But I caught one
young man enjoying his prize. I would have 
purchased for each of them a
double.
UPDATE 3:45 PM
From Supv. Antonovich's office:
ANTONOVICH TO OFFER $50,000 REWARD FOR ARSONIST(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR STATION FIRE
LOS ANGELES COUNTY – Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich announced that he will be offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the Station Fire.
As of this morning, the Station Fire has burned 148,258 acres, destroyed 96 structures, resulted in the death of 2 firefighters and injured 8 others. Thousands of lives and property have been threatened and over 4,847 personnel are on the frontlines fighting the fires. The estimated cost of the fire thus far is $28,554,000.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit has ruled the fire as being caused by arson.
The motion will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors at their next regularly scheduled meeting on September 8, 2009.
Supervisor Antonovich encourages anyone with information on the individual(s) responsible for the Station Fire to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
Fire raises mesothelioma fears: Richard Moyle, the National Awareness Coordinator for the Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com, emails us this link about possible dangers of asbestos contamination in the fires. Moyle assures us that "while our website is sponsored by attorneys, all of the medical information on our site has been reviewed and approved by a doctor and we offer many other services (like VA Claims assistance and patient advocacy) in addition to legal advice. I mention this as a way to avoid confusion as to our affiliation because our intention is not to deceive."
Mt. Wilson triumphant: the danger isn't over, but the towercam is back!
Everybody get together: Check the comments -- all listservs/Yahoo groups/neighborhood blogs are being asked to put their information in the comments section so we (well, not US, but somebody!) can have a citywide list for the next emergency!
