Ron Brackett
One of the largest wildfires in Los Angeles County history is threatening more than 1,000 homes in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of the city.
Known at the Bobcat Fire, the blaze has consumed more than 170 square miles since it began Sept. 6. The cause is being investigated.
It has burned at least 29 structures, and officials said the number could be as high as 85 when damage assessment teams are able to reach the area.
Most of the structures were in the Antelope Valley communities of Cima Mesa, Juniper Hills, Pearblossom and Devil’s Punchbowl, the Los Angeles Times reported.
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On Tuesday, officials said the fire was pushing hard toward Mount Wilson, home to the Mount Wilson Observatory and what was said to be $1 billion worth of television and radio transmission towers, according to the L.A. Times.
The Bobcat Fire has grown more than 56 square miles since Friday, pushed along by gusty winds and fueled by dry vegetation that hasn't burned in years. The National Weather Service said warm and dry conditions were expected to continue in the area on Tuesday.
Southern California is also forecast to see another heat wave early next week, according to weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman, which could worsen fire conditions.
The Bobcat Fire was only 17% contained Tuesday morning. It isn't expected to be fully contained until Oct. 30.
About 4,000 people from 1,100 homes have been ordered to evacuate, fire officials said.
Residents of Pasadena and the communities of Altadena and Wrightwood have been warned to be ready to flee if the fire approaches them.
The largest blaze in Los Angeles County history was the Station Fire, which burned 250 square miles in the Angeles National Forest in 2009. It killed two firefighters and destroyed more than 200 structures.
The Bobcat Fire was one of 27 major wildfires burning across California on Tuesday, according to the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Since mid-August, the fires have killed 26 people and destroyed more than 6,500 structures, Cal Fire said. The blazes have consumed more than 5,625 square miles.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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