What If . . . ? The Meadows and the Fire Next Time
Regarding the article “Enforcing Fire Safety Rule,” Nov. 21:
The Meadows, a development of approximately 300 homes in the northwest corner of Altadena that has one way in and out, is considered by many residents to be a disaster waiting to happen.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Dec. 9, 1993 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday December 9, 1993 Home Edition San Gabriel Valley Part J Page 3 Column 1 Zones Desk 1 inches; 27 words Type of Material: Correction
Committee member--Camille Dudley is a member of the Altadena land use committee. Stories in the Nov. 21 and Dec. 5 editions of the San Gabriel Valley section inaccurately reported her title.
Had the firestorms that destroyed more than 120 homes on the east side of Altadena started in the canyon below the Meadows, there would have been a potential for the loss of not only homes and personal possessions, but also of lives. The many terrified residents trying to evacuate down Canyon Crest Road as fire personnel and equipment travel up the winding road would have been trapped.
Anyone who saw the terror on the faces of residents attempting to flee the fires along Loma Alta or Lake Avenue as fire personnel and “Lookie-Loos” traveled into the areas would be a fool not to be concerned. I not only saw the terror, I felt it as I helped evacuate terrified horses from areas north of Loma Alta and as I packed my car with my dog and as many personal possessions as possible before fleeing the Meadows.
I took one last look at the things I owned but was unable to take, because I thought it was my last look and I wanted to firmly plant it in my mind. I feared getting caught in a mass evacuation from the Meadows if the fire jumped the fire lines set up at Chaney Trail.
Traffic from the Meadows empties onto Lincoln Avenue approximately 50 yards north of Loma Alta. Lincoln Avenue is the same street residents from the proposed La Vina development would use for evacuation, culminating in a bottleneck on Lincoln. The only secondary exit from the project 300 feet east of Lincoln does not seem to be far enough apart in case of a wildfire.
A firestorm emanating on the southern part of the La Vina project or the forested area just southeast, being blown in a northwesterly direction by fierce Santa Anas, could trap residents of both The Meadows and La Vina.
Haven’t we learned anything from the Oakland or Santa Barbara fires? Must we wait until after it happens to find out what went wrong?
CAMILLE DUDLEY
Member, Altadena Town Council
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