Fire Danger Remains High after a Small Brush Fire in Monrovia Monday
By Terry Miller
Published: Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Fire Danger Remains High after a Small Brush Fire in Monrovia Monday
By Terry Miller
A major Fire Department response put dozens of firefighters, three helicopters and 40 pieces of equipment at the foot of Canyon Park in Monrovia Monday, with assistance from Los Angeles County, Arcadia, Pasadena, Glendale, Monterey Park and the US Forest Service.
Canyon Park was evacuated as the fire began. No homes or other structures were threatened and no other evacuations were ordered.
Monday’s three acre fire in the Foothills of Monrovia’s Canyon Park was quelled quickly with a huge mutual aid force. The extremely quick air response of three helicopters highlights the effectiveness and lessons learned from the Station Fire last year.
One Monrovia Park Ranger was overcome with heat exhaustion while fighting the flames and is being treated.
The fire was apparently set off by a downed power line, which may have sparked after coming in contact with a metallic balloon. Southern California Edison is working to secure the lines and restore power to the area.
Coordination seemed seamless to the casual observer but preparation is the key to effective response in any fire, but particularly in high risk areas like the forest.
The actual cause of the fire is unofficially downed power lines, possibly due to a mylar balloon striking a power pole.
Residents of the affected area of Monrovia were without power for several hours while Edison rushed to repair downed lines.
In the ensuing confusion of the road closures to allow Firefighters access for structure protection, one man was arrested for not obeying police officer’s orders to stop his vehicle.
In the confusion of the road closures, one driver was arrested at gunpoint by Monrovia police officers when he continually refused to stop his vehicle despite repeated requests. At one point an Edison worker attempted to stop the vehicle by standing in front of the car. The driver proceeded to put his foot on the gas and the Edison employee was literally holding on to the hood as the driver attempted to continue. Monrovia police officers ran to the window of the car and order him out at gunpoint.
Donald Skelton was arrested and transported to Monrovia PD for booking on numerous charges. Skelton, who is in his 70′s is charged with two counts of ADW (Assault with a Deadly Weapon) as he hit two people with his car. His bail was set at $80,000.
The victims of the assault are a Southern California Edison worker who attempted to help the police stop the vehicle, and a Capt. in the National Forest Service who did attempted to stop the vehicle.
In other fire news the Kern County Fire is currently at 1,308 acres and only 30% contained.
The potential for large fires will remain elevated across Southern California through Thursday due to the well above normal temperatures. The grass and brush are now very dry due to extended period of warm and dry weather over the past weeks. The public is urged to remain cautious due to the very high fire danger.
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