Altadena Fires
How do you feel the situation with the fire was handled by our local officials?
Were you satisfied with the news coverage and communication regarding evacuations and updates?
How do you think the situation could have been improved?
How do you feel the situation with the fire was handled by our local officials?
Were you satisfied with the news coverage and communication regarding evacuations and updates?
How do you think the situation could have been improved?
#1 by Greg Middleton on September 2nd, 2009
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Thanks for the shout out to me Herbert. As a concerned citizen I feel that we must think as rational, loving and caring people and do all we can just to assist each other at times of need. We need to drop all the lines that we draw between us and use only the distinction of being human (human being).
From an official level it appears that much can be learned from this recent crisis. How notices are sent out to the neighborhoods and bans are lifted seems to be seriously inadequate. It is as though one hand does not know what the other one is doing. We need a unified command center that sends out the order that everyone hears and agrees to follow. Although we made it through the crisis, it was the concerned citizens who stood up and made the difference. Perhaps the weight should be on us to do what is right and decent rather than waiting to be told by our leaders to do what is right and decent? A BIG SHOUT OUT to all the firemen who worked the lines for us and protected our homes and lives. Their work was priceless…
#2 by barbara mcalpine on September 2nd, 2009
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everytime we have a fire and this neighborhood has to be evaluated, they place out of the area people at the barricades and they are too too rude. This time was no different. My son came over from Los Angeles to pick me up, and guess what, they would not let him do it, nor did they offer to come up and pick me up. I had to call the station and ask if I could pass some money to someone to pick up some medication for me; but first they had to notify the officers at the intersection to allow this to happen. The kind officer was willing to leave the station and go up to the site to make this happen. I thank you for the messages you sent, logging on to the fire department website was the only way we learned that the roads were open again. I had to let my neighbors know, they don’t have a computer.
#3 by gloriana casey on September 2nd, 2009
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The altadenablog was the Oracle of Delphi! Thank you! The L.A. Times did an excellent job too The local television news had scary pictures, but alas, in this digital age, not much useful information. Again kudos to the altadena blog. The fire departments need medals of valor! As a poet, my personal experience is below. ( if you don’t like poetry, skip to the next comment!)
“Then, One Summer Day..” from gloriana casey Aug. 30th, 2009
SNAKE, wispy snake of silver smoke, like a question mark, peers over the ridge,
Then coils, undulates, touching gently the mountain top.
This smokey tongue tastes the earth, and the smoke cloud grows,
REASSEMBLES.
Tongue becomes, fingers, become hands, and a swirl of smoke envelopes the mountain.
From its frog-like perch, this massive cloud swirl, leans and bites into the earth.
A smokey, languid yawn turns into a gaping hole of angry mouth spewing forth thermal eggs of ember babes.
They fall lightly, delicately, each clinging to a single blade of grass.
A DANCE IN SLOW MOTION.
A minuet and turn, then limbo down,
RUMBA, RUMBA!
Ember babes flicker and arise as ancient warriors from time,
singing their cracking shrieks to the air and marching with frenzied feet.
Their firey fingers snap and grasp in a furious Bacchanalia to oxygen.
FRENZY, RIOT, ANARCHY OF THE GRASS!
These golden hills do not resist.
In this Holy Grail of land and forest, trees become torches,and sunset comes at midnight, as the war rages on.
DRAGON TIME IN ALTADENA.
But what are dragons without knights?
There is rumble in the air…….
Above, in the smokey haze of light, a shimmer and flash….
An airborne, orange-bellied flying cross trembles and shivers, its belly groaning heavy with weight.
Earth’s plasma, in maroon, red-purple rain storms down.
Gaia receives this liquid offering from the silver St. George of the sky.
And on the ground, knights with shovels and picks, with firey nerve to match this dragon, battle on.
People, pets, lives and confusions.
YES, memories and histories may be tossed by this infernal dragon,
But, NOT the PEOPLE of Altadena.
#4 by Melise on September 2nd, 2009
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Media coverage has been abysmal, county resources have been inconsistent and unreliable. The Sheriff’s Department in the first couple of days (before I stopped bothering to call them) were giving me incorrect information and sending me to resources equally inaccurate.
Far and away the best coverage has been at http://www.altadenablog.com (make sure to use this address–don’t google it, as spammers have begun hitting people who try to find it through google). Altadena residents are contributing comments and updates and keeping each other informed of what has been going on.
#5 by Grant on September 2nd, 2009
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The media coverage was bad. They always seem to forget Altadena.
The Sheriff’s officers that were stationed on my street did and amazing job. I saw them diffuse an angry home owner and not let a bad situation escalate. The officer on the scene remained incredibly tolerant and forgiving.
altadenablog.com – did great work!
#6 by Joseph W. Calloway on September 2nd, 2009
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The News coverage was problematic from the first night when all they would report on was the fire at the beach. When Local News outlets turned their attention to our area it was all about La Canada-Flintridge Fire. Altadena was not a priority. The fire department seem to have placed prior and assets at the beach for the first night which gave the Station fire an opportunity to grow out of control. Once the fire department made fighting the Station fire a priority the did a wonderful job. We thank the men and women who put their time and energies and lives on the line in to save our communities.
Before mandatory evacuation was declared Loma Alta Drive became over congested with people from out of the area stopping in front of homes block in driveways generally impeding the access of emergence vehicles and the evacuation process of the families who where preparing for a possible evacuation.
Once mandatory evacuation was declared for homes north of Loma Alta Drive the Sheriff Department, Highway Patrol, and Fire Departments did a great job of securing and monitoring our community. This was the best effort and response I seen in over thirty years of living on Loma Alta Drive.
Job well done,
Los Angeles County Sheriffs and Highway Patrol had a plan which they executed with with perfection.
Coach Calloway
#7 by Donna Barnes-Roberts on September 2nd, 2009
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The local coverage at altadenablog.com was great, in spite of the fact that Tim was dealing with having a wife in the hospital during this event.
While the LA times and their maps were sometimes useful, I later found that http://www.kppc.org was very useful in keeping up to date with what was happening. They also had a number of fire related shows happening on the air at 89.3FM, KPCC but I only could listen to a bit of them. What I heard was interesting and insightful.
#8 by Terri Quintero on September 3rd, 2009
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This was not just one isolated fire. We are undergoing dramatic fires in several areas with all of our fire and safety resources being stretched past reasonable limits. I think believe response, communication, public safety were all handled in a timely and professional manner.
The tractors that were brought in to cut down brush was good proactive work considering the limited resources available.
#9 by Margaret L. Soderberg, M.D. on September 4th, 2009
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I moved to Altadena (McNally Ave) in June, so evacuating for a fire is new to me. I found the blogs so helpful. If not for the information supplied by neighbors, I would have been absolutely lost as to a course of action. The communication provided was very reassuring and appreciated.
#10 by Ashton Rice on September 4th, 2009
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Echoing kudos and thanks to Tim and all who contributed to altadenablog.com. I told my family on east coast and friends throughout So Cal to check the blog since the broadcast news was sketchy. Tim, I trust that your wife is doing fine.
Echoing frustration with slow response to fire on our side of the mountain. We watched the flames for days before any action seemed to have been taken here. Then within perhaps 3-4 hours of planes/helicopters, we were told to evac.
Communication could have been much better as far as letting residents know when evac order had been lifted. I was staying close enough in town to drive up and check for myself.
Neighboring Pasadena hotels certainly enjoyed loads of extra business. Shame on them for not offering tremendous discounts. So much attention paid to Palos Verdes, but their evacuees were comped at luxury resort. I settled for a $5 discount at the Westin after I told them my plight.
I found out much later that even though we stayed elsewhere, it was recommended that we at least sign in at the local evacuation center for accountability purposes. Would have been nice to know beforehand. The reports kept changing on which evac center covered Altadena as well.
Lastly, I have a cousin who is a firefighter based in Orange County–he was called up to work the Station Fire and is still out here. Please remember Shawn.
#11 by David Gloud on September 5th, 2009
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I would like to give a big adda boy to Mr. Simmins for his involment w/ everything. ..I appllaud our law enforcement offices and our fire fighters….I’ve lived here for Oh I say 18yrs may be more ..I’ve wittness our officials fight fiers & gangs like no other ..we have an elite force here ……the latest events has only confinfirmed that….any body has a problem go to another countery..they proboboally have our used equipment ….OUR LAW ENFORMEMENTS & FIRE FIGHTERS ARE THE THE BEST DAMMIT…… I and salute them..any body has a problem w/ that….. meet me in the parking lot
#12 by Jay Tyzzer on September 7th, 2009
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Hello Herbert,
I agree that better cell coverage is needed for our area. However the location needs to be looked at with the property owners and community esthetics in mind. Therefore I did not vote using the area you provided on your this site as it was not clear and to a large degree, to constricting. I believe that some people that come onto your site may not have the necessary background information on this issue in order to make a educated decision. My non-scientific poll, standing on the corner and asking the question “what do you think about a cell tower right over there?”, reveled that many residents I spoke to STILL did not know about the proposed tower and that this location as currently proposed is not preferred by many Altadenans.
Hopefully this site will be rejected and a less visually obvious location will be sought out and accepted.
There are methods of boosting a signal that can be implemented in ones own home. I would be happy to discuss this option with you or any of the citizens in our tract or neighboring tracts.
Regards,
Howard Josiah Tyzzer III “Jay”
#13 by Jay Tyzzer on September 7th, 2009
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Hello again,
Upon reviewing the site further I noticed two things,
1) You have posted some data on the Cell tower proposal. Thanks,
2) I mistakenly put my post in the incorrect section.
Regards,
Howard Josiah Tyzzer III “Jay”
#14 by Eric Dysart on September 9th, 2009
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I think that the official responses to this fire were as good as could be expected. Certainly no worse than fires of the past. The media coverage was poor, though my complaint is that it is difficult for a viewer to identify exactly where a flare was burning. While the coverage was dramatic (very exciting for people not in the area), it lacked specificity that would make it useful for potential victims.
Of course, the fire crews were exemplary, as they have been in the past. And they are the most important part of the response. While the media and police response could be improved, their inadequacies will be covered by independent systems like this website. Unfortunately, as more independent solutions develop, we’ll see more issues with inconsistent information.
#15 by Ashton Rice on September 9th, 2009
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Hope everyone has signed the giant tribute to our firefighters at located at the top of Lake Ave and Loma Alta!
#16 by Karen Bagnard on September 9th, 2009
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As usual, I am in awe of the strength and courage of everyone who fought this fire. I was out of town at the time but felt my family/pets were as safe as could possibly be. I appreciate the ease of getting information for updates. The sheriffs were very helpful with my concerns. Thank you… EVERY one of you who played any role in this battle.
#17 by Roosevelt Pullem on September 14th, 2009
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Thank you for this website, It`s great for our community of Altadena. I look forward to reading more comments. Sincerely, velmel@netzero.net