LA Firemen at Work

Los Angeles -- I was a block away, driving when I noticed a small plume of black smoke rising above a manufacturing plant. 

At first, I though it could be a diesel tractor starting up. I turned the corner to see a few workers running across the street, so I pulled over, grabbed my camera a credentials and run up to the back of the building. Moments later, the fire department pulled up and quickly extinguished the flame. 

Not much was damaged and no idea on how the fire was started. 

I remained at the sight, documenting the events as they happened. 

What Word do You See?

Angeles National Forest (Los Angeles) -- This weekend was supposed to be one of the hottest on record. LA valleys were well over 100F degrees, but high in the mountains above LA, we enjoyed much cooler temps.

About the photo: After completing a long section of our backpack trip (22 miles total) with the Boy Scouts, we all enjoyed telling stories around the campfire. I thought I would snap one shot just for the heck of it. I didn't notice what was hidden in the image until now. I did not manipulate this photo in any way.

Perfect for the weather we are having...

Endless Flames and Phos-Chek

Angeles National Forest -- There doesn't seem to be an end to this blaze. I went for a walk this evening and saw that Mt. Wilson continues to stand strong and proud with an orange aura behind it. We all hope and pray that this six-digit acre fire will burn itself out soon. As of 10:30PM Monday night, the fire has calmed down and Mt. Wilson could be safe.

Heat, 02 and Fuel

Pasadena, CA -- It is the Scarecrow's greatest fear and Southern California's kryptonite.

Add 100-degree days, 15% humidity and wind, and you have a cocktail from hell. The good news is that the winds died down, temperatures are supposed to be lower today and there are no other major fires at the time, which allows all surrounding fire-fighting resources to concentrate on this fire.

All day Saturday, dozens of water and Phos-Chek-dropping aircraft orbited the city, waiting their turn at being a modern day dragon-slayer. Everything from helicopters to a DC-10 swooped over the flames and dumped their precious cargo on the flames.

A Sikorsky Skycrane drops water onto a hotspot near NASA's, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena. At the same time, neighbors lining the streets cheered each drop as if it were a show. The same people also gave each passing fire engine a thunderous ovation of appreciation. They usually got a loud blast of the horn in return as acknowledgment.

California Highway Patrol officers turned away both curious observers as well as residents at the top of Lake Avenue today. Some motorist claimed that family members were still in their homes while others just wanted a closer look at the raging fire.

Smokey LA Skyline

Pasadena, CA -- Spring fever overtook us all as a dry, balmy wind blew through our group and into the valley. This is our weekly Happy Hour hiking group in the foreground. Behind us are the buildings of downtown Los Angeles which, are under a shroud of smoke from the Santa Barbara fire.