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RED FLAG WARNING UNTIL 6 PM SATURDAY SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2014 VOLUME 8 NO. 3 COLBY FIRE - SIERRA MADRE AVENUE NOT SIERRA MADRE When Sierra Madre residents awakened on Thursday morning, the smell, sights and sounds of a rapidly moving brush fire filled the air. The above photo, taken by resident Dave Felt at 6 am from his backyard, shows the intensity of the smoke on what would otherwise have been a clear day, Once residents realized, however, that the event was not in Sierra Madre, there was some relief, however those who have lived through California wildfires, realized how quickly they can spread, especially with Santa Ana winds and high temperatures. As if the proximity of the Colby Fire was not enough to concern residents, early broadcast news reports created additional anxiety when they continued to flash on television screens, and reporters continued to name “Sierra Madre” as one of the areas in the path of the fire. Reports, even via Social Media, failed to distinguish between Sierra Madre Avenue in Glendora and Sierra Madre the city. The fire, which at press time, was 30% contained, has burned 1,863 acres and is being fought by more than 1100 fire per- JAQUIE PERGOLA, REALTOR® PODLEY PROPERTIES 626.355.2384 30 N. Baldwin Avenue | Sierra Madre, 91024 Podley Properties Proudly Congratulates Sierra Madre Associate Sierra Madre Citizens of the Year 2013 Jacquie & Joe Pergola JACQUIE PERGOLA sonnel, including mutual aid from Sierra Madre. Authorities believe the fire will be fully contained by Sunday. Air quality has been poor and while visibility has improved, particulate matter that is not visible, remains a threat to those with respiratory problems. Late Friday, the Glendale Police Department advised that firefighters will be lighting back fires in the hills at the west end of Glendora, which should aid in getting the fire fully contained. Updates on the fire can be found on our website under Breaking News (www.mtnviewsnews.com) or following on twitter (@mtnviewsnews). IS IT SOMETHING WE SAID? Incumbents in Sierra Madre and Arcadia Fail To Seek Second Term There seems to be a new trend Green, Denise Delmar and Rachin local politics in our town, and elle Arizmendi. The four candi- Arcadia too. With the deadline dates will run for three seats on for filing papers for re-election in the council. both Sierra Madre and Arcadia Some say this will present an in- passing, none of the incumbents teresting scenario in a city known chose to run for a second term. for contentious council races (See Arcadia story on page 5). with multiple candidates for each seat. In Sierra Madre, current No one that we spoke with can Counilmember Chris Koerber remember a time in recent histoand Former Mayor Josh Moran ry when no incumbent who was had previously announced their eligible to run refused to serve, decisions not to run citing per-for whatever reason, a second sonal reasons. The deadline for term. the remaining incumbent, Mayor The election will be held on Nancy Walsh to file was January April 8, 2014. Also on the ballot 13th, and, as confirmed by City will be Measure UUT, the User Clerk Nancy Shollenberger. the Utility Tax measure. only candidates that will be on S. Henderson, MVNews the ballot are Gene Goss, Noah COUNCILMAN KOERBER APPEALS TO RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT WATER RATE INCREASE At Tuesday’s city council meeting, Councilman Chris Koerber, a renowned fiscal conservative, made a public appeal to residents to support the proposed Water Rate Increase. Koerber informed those who may have already submitted their Prop 218 ballot to reconsider and go to city hall and request the appropriate form to withdraw their ballot. Earlier the same day, Mayor Walsh, in her State of the City address before the Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club, also encouraged residents to support the increase. “Don’t believe some dude on a robo call”, said Walsh, referring to the recent rash of automated calls asking Sierra Madreans to reject the increase. To date, no one has been able to identify who is the sponsor of these calls which contain “misleading and inaccurate information” said the city manager Elaine Aguilar in an earlier conversation. One local resident and owner of multiple rental units in the city, Earl Ritchie, posted a banner opposing the increase in front of one of his apartment buildings during the holidays. Earlier in the week, Channel 4 news spoke was in town to talk about our current water situation and one couple stood before the camera and articulated their support of the increase to save our water system. On January 28th, the council will address the proposed increase. Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Log During the month of December, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue (SMSR) responded to six calls for assistance to close out 2013. The Team responded to 96 incidents during the year and provided assistance to 84 individuals lost or injured in the mountains. Over 3,770 hours of time were logged by Team members while on these calls. In addition to actual search and rescue calls, Team members logged over 7,400 hours in support of the Team’s mission. This included 17 public preventative search and rescue (PSAR) events where Team members discuss wilderness safety and preparedness with scout groups, schools, and other community groups. Members logged just under 4,800 hours of training in a broad array of SAR disciplines in order to maintain the high level of proficiency required to safely perform SAR operations. In total, Team members logged over 11,200 hours of official time in support of the Team. Many additional hours of unofficial time were spent by individual Team members maintaining their readiness. Two noteworthy calls from December and the first call of 2014 are described in more detail below. Missing Mountain Bikers, Arroyo Seco: The Team responded to a 5:30 a.m. mutual aid request from the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team (AMRT) on December 23rd to assist in search efforts to locate 4 mountain bikers overdue from a ride in the Arroyo Seco area. The subjects had been attempting to ride from the Switzer’s Camp area down past JPL and out at the trailhead on Windsor Ave. in Altadena. Search crews from AMRT and Montrose Search and Rescue had been working throughout the night to locate the bikers and additional personnel along with helicopter support had been requested to augment the search efforts. The 4 individuals had limited familiarity with the area and were located by a 2 person crew from SMSR near the mouth of Bear Canyon. All the subjects were tired but uninjured after a cold night out with limited gear. The team assisted the individuals back to their families at the trailhead. All personnel were released from the incident at 11:30 a.m. Injured Hiker, Mt. Wilson Trail/Little Santa Anita Canyon: The Team completed their last operation of 2013 on December 30th with the rescue of a hiker on the Mt. Wilson Trail. The Team joined the SMFD at 1:08 p.m. upon being notified of a hiker injured in a slip and fall over the side of the trail. The hiker had fallen over the side and tumbled approx. 100 feet into the canyon after stepping on a loose rock that had given way. Rescuers made their way up to the incident location and used various rope rescue techniques to access the hiker. After securing the hiker in order to prevent a more extensive fall, the hiker’s injuries were assessed and he was raised to the trail where additional medical treatment was provided by SMFD paramedics. Given the nature of the injuries, the decision was made to wheel the hiker out to the waiting ambulance via the Stokes litter and wheel combination used on many rescues. The hiker was transferred to SMFD’s RA41 and was transported to the hospital for treatment. The operation was secured at 2:19 p.m. Due to the holidays and our unseasonably warm weather, 2014 has started off with a series of rescues during the first week of January. Hiker and Dog Over the Side, Chantry Flat: At 10:50 a.m. on January 2nd, SMSR was paged to respond to reports of a hiker and their dog off the side of the trail and stranded in near vertical terrain below the Chantry Flat parking area. Rescuers responded to the scene and found a hiker stranded approximately 30’ over the side after having attempted to help his dog who had fallen over the edge. Team members focused the initial rescue efforts on the (cont. page 5) Read The Paper Online At: www.mtnviewsnews.com | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Mountain Views News 80 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. #327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.604.4548 www.mtnviewsnews.com |