Angeles National Forest fire: one week of hot, hazy smoke

 On Thursday smoke from the Station fire was visible in my home below the Altadena Golf Course. We drove to a concert at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena and flames were visible on the mountains behind the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Fires like this occur in the foothills and mountains regularly. Wise residents will keep brush cut back at a safe distance. Perhaps even wiser residents won't build too far into the scrub brush and steep terrain. When fires like this do occur, after an exhausting day or two, fire crews begin to gain and containment takes place.

But the Station fire's flames were visible at our house on Thursday, August 27 and were only 5% contained through Monday September 1. Late on September 2, fire crews managed 22% containment.

Firefighters killed in the line of duty - one was 34 years old. Homes evacuated and burned. Those are the major losses and inconveniences which transforms orderly lives into escapees from chaos. So writing about the smoke seems so mundane and trite. But it's not. In a fire like the Station fire, the smoke is thick and pierces the eyes, nose, homes, clothes, cars -- it's everywhere.

On Sunday morning, the smoke had settled so thickly over our street that I almost didn't go out at 7am for a quick walk with the dog before church. I decided not to run. Walking along our street, visibility was no more than 100 yards. I was surprised there was no "rain of ash." Just that smoke that could not be escaped.

 In a disaster, Americans have become great at thanking those who are there to serve and protect. This restaurant owner in the Montrose / La Crescenta area on Foothill Blvd above the 210 freeway put his thanks into action.

On Wednesday, Sept 2, the smoke still lingers. We smell it. But it has definitely lifted as the worst flames are now many miles back into the wildnerness.

We enjoy driving and hiking in the Angeles National Forest. Once restrictions are lifted, what will the hills and canyons look like?

The forest is enormous, however, and there will still be many sections that are green and healthy looking despite the extensive damage that will be visible.