August and September are the driest and hottest months, in Los Angeles's Mediterranean climate. This makes several areas very vulnerable to fires which can be uncontrollable. This is what led to Los Angeles's largest fire and the nations 7th largest since 2000.
It started in the afternoon of August 27, in the Angeles National Forest. The afternoon of August 26 is when the first account of a fire starting at a nearby fire station, Angeles Crest Fire Station. The fire affected approximately 160,500 acres and caused great alarm and evacuation of nearby residents. With effects of the wind and the Forest providing a great fuel for a wildfire, the fire spread North, North East and North West.
The recovery of this fire will take several years for the watershed to stabilize. Overall the animal species should be able to stabilize as well. The terrestrial area will of course take much longer, due to soil conditions.
There were over 1,000 firefighters helping with the spread of the Morris Fire. Unfortunately, two passed away due to an accident of going off road during the wildfire. Overall the, Angeles Forest did have up-to-date plans and protocol for fires, but it was unable to help the two that lost their lives. They made great progress the first few hours, unfortuanley the location of the fire department restricted their access to putting out the fire and made it difficult.
There were about 2,800 fire personnel , 12 helicopter and 8 air tankers trying to put out the fire.
The fire had made surrounding areas of Los Angles even hotter, with temperatures reaching triple digits. No civillians were reported dead but 29 total were injured (including fire personnel). 89 residences were destroyed and 18 residences damaged. 6,600 homes (10,000 people) were evacuated and 12,000 homes were threatened to be evacuated.
There were about 2,800 fire personnel , 12 helicopter and 8 air tankers trying to put out the fire.
The fire had made surrounding areas of Los Angles even hotter, with temperatures reaching triple digits. No civillians were reported dead but 29 total were injured (including fire personnel). 89 residences were destroyed and 18 residences damaged. 6,600 homes (10,000 people) were evacuated and 12,000 homes were threatened to be evacuated.
If the fire had gone West or South, it would have disturbed a greater number of people along with hospital and health care access. Fortunately no hospital was directly affected. Although due to the fire, roads and freeways close to the fire were shut down. That could have led to some logistical difficulties. Because 45% of the fire was put out by August 27th (Day 2). Overall, the fire did not have too large of an impact on hospitals because of their locations.
Bibliography
USDA, 11/13/2009. http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/station_fire_report.pdf
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association), 01/08/10. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/fire/2009/13
Fish and Wildlife. 9/2009. Leslie Welch, Dan Teater, Robin Eliason. http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5167065.pdf
NASA Earth Observatory, 09/31/2009. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=40011
Media-
Pasadena Star News, 08/27/2009. http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_13211554
Los Angeles Times, 08/31/2009. Genaro Molina. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/la-county-fire-doubles-in-size-more-homes-list-mt-wilson-threatened.html
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