Pictured: Bill Westphal's stunning picture of the Station Fire in the hills above the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
by Timothy Rutt
On Aug. 26, 2009, we had our first entry that something smoky was going on in the hills above La Canada Flintridge. The following day, Aug. 27, 2009, some homes in the Meadows were evacuated, crews were warning La Vina and Millard Canyon residents to get out, and we were now in for our week of hell called the Station Fire.
By Aug. 28, Altadenablog became all-fire-all-the-time, as homes in those neighborhoods as well as Florecita, Chaney Trail, and many others north of Loma Alta Drive were being evacuated. We didn't fully stand down until Sept. 5, when Mt. Wilson was under control.
You can return to those thrillling days of yesteryear at our August and September '09 archives.
But we always take this time to thank our readers, who helped make Altadenablog our community lifeline in this crisis. More than anything else, it cemented for us that a community of informed residents is a mighty good thing, and what a great privilege and responsibility it is to serve Altadena. More than ever, we love this work, and we love Altadena.
More pictures after the jump.
What do you remember about the Station Fire? Comment away!
The Westphal Weathercam: fire in the hills, but the Star of Palawoo (right) brings a beacon of hope.
Another Bill Westphal picture, of one of the early Phos-Chek drops.
Altadena town councilmembers confer with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. From left, Tecumseh Shackelford, Alice Wessen, Gino Sund, the Governator, Dr. Sandra Thomas, and Gene Campbell.
A satellite picture of the raging fire.
Reader Eric Murga's picture of Marengo Avenue, with smoke clouds filling the horizon.
Reader Bethany Baird's picture of the view from the Poppyfield/Olive area.
A pyrocumulous cloud (i.e. fire cloud) around Mt. Wilson, as seen from the Webster's parking lot.
As the fire left our area, the gratitude poured out. Scot Flodin sent us a picture of his daughter Isabella in front of the sign on Lake Avenue and Loma Alta Drive, near the Cobb Estate gates.
Alta-blogger Debbi Swanson Patrick takes a picture of visiting firefighters at the "Amazing Altadena!" photo display for the North Lake Open House on Sept. 5, 2009.
