The fire over the San Gabriel Mountains has been very difficult for firefighters to attack
Bobcat fire in Juniper Hills, northeast of Los Angeles.
Photo: ETIENNE LAURENT / EFE
The Bobcat Fire has been a constant threat for the past two weeks to residents of communities on the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Unexpectedly, the fire began to destroy their first homes on Friday, only it was on the other side of the mountains, in the Antelope Valley.
Several homes in the Juniper Hills community burned down late Friday after strong winds of more than 30 miles per hour drove the fire north of the mountains.
A view of the #BobCat Fire from LAX Tower this afternoon. There was extreme fire behavior due to gusty sw winds with peak gusts 40-50 mph at higher ridges of the San Gabriel Mountains and in the 30s across the southern of the Antelope Valley foothills. #CAwx #Socal #LAweather pic.twitter.com/zWCUrUVbFA
– NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) September 19, 2020
The dramatic images began to be shown on the news and also on social media.
Heartbreaking to see homes going up in flames as crews battle the #bobcatfire
We’ve seen a handful lost, but so many more saved as crews make a stand against the wind whipped flames.
Live report from the fire line at 11pm @ ABC7 pic.twitter.com/imXS086l3Y– Leanne Suter (@ abc7leanne) September 19, 2020
After 13 days, the first structure has burned in the #BobcatFire and likely more homes are burning right now in #juniperhills 30-40 mph winds driving flames north into the # Antelope valley @ ABC7 pic.twitter.com/8ClSTacqMV
– Josh Haskell (@ abc7JoshHaskell) September 18, 2020
Watching my friends houses catch on fire. 💔 this is only a 10 min drive from me. Please keep Juniper Hills in your prayers. 💔😞 #BobcatFire @KTLA @ ABC7 @ Av_News_661Lasd pic.twitter.com/AaA8lDHrgR
– e mills (@mavroley) September 18, 2020
Juniper Hills was evacuated on time since Thursday and no injuries were reported as the fire grew to 72,000 acres with 15% containment.
While damage to structures has occurred in the Antelope Valley, evacuation alerts remain in effect in communities on the south side of the mountains such as Monrovia, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Altadena, Duarte and even Pasadena.
On the other hand, the historic Mount Wilson Observatory remains in jeopardy, as does the nearby array of broadcast antennas that are valued at more than $ 1 billion.
