Bobcat Fire Update | September 18, 2020

PASADENA, Calif.—The Bobcat Fire is now at 60,557 acres and is 15% contained.  Yesterday, the fire reached Juniper Hills and the adjacent communities on the north end of the fire. Large numbers of resources were shifted to respond to this threat. Evacuation orders were issued for Juniper Hills, Devil’s Punchbowl, and Paradise Springs, including the area east of Devils Punch Bowl Road, south of the Big Pines Hwy, north of the Big Rock Creek, and west of Jackson Lake. Firefighters primary focus today is responding to and addressing the threats to communities on the north end of the fire. A combination of air and ground resources will work at halting the fire’s forward progress while having structure protection in place.

On the east side, firefighters will continue to patrol and pick up any spot fires and will look for opportunities to establish direct control lines to slow the fire’s spread. In the south, crews will continue to mop up and strengthen line around the communities. Around Mount Wilson, crews will continue to hold and improve the lines protecting the infrastructure while trying to keep the fire from spreading to the west around the mountain. For more details, visit InciWeb.

Although current fire conditions do not present a threat to Pasadena, an evacuation warning remains in effect as a precaution for residents in our foothill neighborhoods north of Sierra Madre Boulevard. Conditions could change rapidly, so we encourage you to stay alert and prepared to evacuate if necessary. See Los Angeles County Fire Department's Ready, Set, Go Guide for preparation tips.

A virtual community meeting was held last night where fire management provided an update on the Bobcat Fire. A recording of the meeting will be posted once closed-captioned on Angeles National Forest's Facebook page and the Bobcat Fire InciWeb page.

Current air quality is in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy range. If you can smell smoke or see ash:

  • Avoid outdoor activity
  • Close all windows
  • Run an air purifier/ run AC on “recirculate” setting
  • Wear a mask outdoors
  • Bring pets indoors

View current air quality information.

If you haven't already, please register for the Pasadena Local Emergency Alert System (PLEAS) to receive voice, email and/or text emergency notifications. PLEAS messages are only sent in the event of imminent danger where action, such as evacuation, is required.

Once you've registered with PLEAS, we also recommend you register with the county's Alert LA County mass notification system.

Nixle is the primary notification system for the Pasadena Police Department. Register at Nixle.com to receive alerts by text message and/or email. You can also text your ZIP code to 888777 to opt in.

The City will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves and more information becomes available. You can also follow @Angeles_NF@LACOFD, and @PasadenaGov on Twitter for incident updates.

REMINDER: The Bobcat Fire is a NO DRONE ZONE. Drones can collide with firefighting aircraft and cause a serious or fatal accident. Anyone interfering with wildfire suppression efforts may be subject to civil penalties and criminal prosecution. Please stay away to protect yourself and our firefighting crews.

Bobcat Fire map, September 18, 2020