April 20, 2013
A brush fire in the hillsides of northern Monrovia that quickly grew to 175 acres and prompted mandatory evacuations of about 200 homes Saturday is contained according to authorities from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The City of Duarte continues to remain safe and unthreatened by the incident. Hots spots will continue to be monitored.
The fire, which ignited shortly after 11 a.m. along the 300 block of Madison Ave., was 50 percent contained by nightfall, Monrovia Fire Department and city officials said.
As the fire continued to grow Saturday afternoon, mandatory evacuations were ordered along the fires eastern flank in an area above Foothill Boulevard in the vicinity of Myrtle Avenue. The blaze was working its way east through heavy brush that has not burned in more than 55 years.
But by nightfall, firefighters appeared to be getting the upper hand. The majority of evacuations — for all but four streets — were lifted at 9 p.m.
Only Highland Place, Heather Heights Court, Briarcliff Road and Alta Vista Avenue remained under mandatory evacuations orders Saturday night, due to concerns over possible overnight winds.
“There is no imminent danger,” Donovan said. “Residents are asked to be patient.”
