The Eaton Fire continued growing on Friday, threatening the observatory and broadcast infrastructure on Mount Wilson.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Thursday morning that firefighting efforts and diminishing winds had slowed the spread of the fire, but by Thursday afternoon, the blaze had grown from 10,600 acres to 13,690.
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Although Santa Ana winds eased in many areas on Thursday, gusty conditions persisted on the mountaintop, hampering aerial firefighting efforts. Sheriff's officials called for immediate evacuations on Mount Wilson, which is home to broadcast towers critical for local TV and radio outlets.
The fire, which started Tuesday night, has claimed the lives of five people, Marrone said, and destroyed at least 7,081 structures as of Cal Fire's latest update at 10:30 AM Friday.
One of the victims was identified as Rodney Nickerson, 82, of Altadena. His daughter Kimiko told NBC4 that her father died in his bed while he was home alone.
Relatives identified two other Eaton Fire victims as Anthony Mitchell, 67, and Victor Shaw, 66.
KNX News’ Craig Fiegener reported on Thursday morning that firefighters were putting out hotspots near El Molino Avenue and Mariposa Street.
According to Angeles National Forest, a Red Flag warning will remain in effect until 6 PM Friday.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued Tuesday for the area north of New York Drive, east of Altadena Drive and west of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue, according to the Angeles National Forest.
Residents north of Woodbury to the 210 and east of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) were under evacuation orders. Residents north of the 210 and east of Angelus Crest to JPL were under an evacuation warning.
In Pasadena, evacuation orders were issued for residents north of Woodbury to I-210 and east of JPL Laboratories. Evacuation warnings were issued for residents north of the 210 and east of Angelus Crest to JPL.
The evacuation orders for Glenoaks and Chevy Chase canyons were lifted by Glendale city officials on Thursday morning.
For more information on evacuation orders and warnings for the Palisades Fire and the other fires, click here.
A “do not drink order” was issued for residents who lived in the evacuated areas of Pasadena
“Debris and elevated turbidity from the Eaton Fire potentially impacted Pasadena Water and Power’s (PWP) drinking water system in the Eaton Fire evacuated areas,” a statement read.
“The State Water Resources Control Board, Pasadena Public Health Department, and Pasadena Water and Power Water System are advising residents of Pasadena to NOT USE THE TAP WATER FOR DRINKING AND COOKING IN THE IMPACTED AREAS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.”
The following school districts are reporting closures on Thursday, according to CalFire:
-- Alhambra Unified School District
-- Arcadia Unified School District
-- Duarte Unified School District
-- Garvey School District
-- Glendale Unified School District (closed through Friday)
-- La Canada Unified (closed through Friday)
-- Monrovia Unified School District
-- Pasadena Unified School District (closed through Friday)
-- San Gabriel Unified School District
-- Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District
-- South Pasadena Unified School District
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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