Full Notification

After participating in a recent comprehensive briefing with the fire response command staff, we can report that there is no immediate direct fire threat to Monrovia, and we remain cautiously optimistic that the fire will not cause any impact to the City.

Fire response crews are working to finish the containment lines that will be required to box in the western flank of the fire, which is the portion of the conflagration that poses the greatest threat to Monrovia. As work continues on building the containment lines, fire staff has simultaneously been working to lay a series of water hose lines at critical locations throughout the foothills in order to aide in the fire response.

It is important to note that while the fire will continue to burn through the day and that smoke columns are expected to become increasingly visible as we progress towards the afternoon, this type of behavior from the fire is expected by fire officials. The increased visibility of smoke and flames will NOT pose an increased risk for Monrovia.

Furthermore, based on current conditions, officials are working to begin deescalating the response to the fire, as the situation and outlook continues to improve. However, while all of the reports that we have received indicate good news for Monrovia, we continue to urge those residents living in the northeastern section of the City to remain ready to evacuate in the event that fire conditions change. Weather patterns could change in an instant, and should City officials determine at any point in time that the fire could impact residents or property in Monrovia, we will order precautionary mandatory evacuation for all impacted residents.

To that end, all residents living in the northeastern part of Monrovia are encouraged to remain vigilant and ready to evacuate. Should an evacuation order be given, we will be coordinating evacuation procedures as follows:

First Evacuation Phase – all residents living east of Norumbega (where it parallels Sawpit Wash) and north of Greystone Avenue

Second Evacuation Phase – all residents living east of Myrtle Avenue and north of Greystone Avenue, and east of Shamrock and north of Foothill

Here at the City, we have continued to keep an additional Monrovia Fire Department patrol in town, and we have continued deployment of our operational plan that allows for all normal service delivery to occur while also setting up special fire support functions. In addition, the City has continued to maintain the closure of Canyon Park, Trask Boy Scout Camp, and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve, and we have ensured that all City reservoirs are filled at 100% capacity in the event that we need to access water for firefighting activities.

Again, it is important to emphasize that based on the current fire movement patterns, we do not anticipate any precautionary mandatory evacuations being ordered tonight. We will continue to assess the situation throughout the evening, and if the situation changes, we have City personnel that will be deployed to your home to notify you of pending fire threats.

All residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and on alert. To stay up to date on the status of the overall situation here in Monrovia, we encourage everyone to check the City's website (www.cityofmonrovia.org). We will continue to post updates as the local fire conditions change.