LOS ANGELES – Evacuations were ordered Thursday in two areas north of the Bobcat Fire, which expanded from 46,263 acres to 55,617 acres since Wednesday while remaining only 9% contained.
Early Thursday afternoon, residents in the Juniper Hills and Devils Punchbowl areas were ordered evacuated, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The fire was reported growing northward.
Juniper Hills residents south of Fort Tejon Road and east of 96th Street, as well as east and south of Valyermo Road and west of Bob’s Gap Road, had been told to pack and prepare to evacuate Wednesday night.
Forest officials reported that the fire crossed Highway 2 near the junction with Highway 39, which is south of Juniper Hills.
The American Red Cross set up a Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) at Palmdale High School (2137 E Avenue R) that would be ready to receive clients at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Full containment of the fire, which will be achieved by way of cleared vegetation, was not estimated until Oct. 30, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Officials had earlier estimated full containment by Oct. 15 but revised that date on Sunday.
A closure order for all National Forests in Southern California was extended to Monday.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended its smoke advisory through Thursday with most of its jurisdiction experiencing smoke impacts.
The Bobcat Fire erupted on Sept. 6 near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area northeast of Mount Wilson and within the Angeles National Forest. The cause remains under investigation.
|#BobcatFire| The American Red Cross will be setting up a Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) at Palmdale High School. It will be ready to receive clients at 7:30 PM today.
Palmdale High School
2137 E Avenue R
Palmdale, 93550— Angeles_NF (@Angeles_NF) September 18, 2020
–
–
Elaine says
How come they don’t have the super scoopers on this fire?
Seriously says
They did.
They only seem to be protecting structures.
The rest is being left to burn.
Judy L says
I hope Charlie Brown’s doesn’t burn down. That was my favorite place when I was living in California. I’m glad I escaped that inferno hell hole I must say.
John Thomas says
I wonder if the phony/fireman Mayor of Palmdale is fighting the fire. A real fireman should be pissed to find a imposter. A building inspector is not a fireman.
CeCe says
Would be great to see a map of evacuation area!