Station Fires

The Station Fire in Los Angeles California on September 2009 was devastating affecting the entire city. Residents have not witnessed a fire as intense for years. There was two hundred fifty-one square miles of land burned.¹ The fire was located North of Hollywood roughly in between Burbank and Pasadena. Two fire fighter were killed in fight to contain and put out the fire.² The cause of the fire was considered arson and a homicide investigation had been initiated.³ This was an unfortunate event in California's history. In my maps, I choose to demonstrate who was affected by the station fire. In both my thematic map and reference map, each demonstrate a different viewpoint.

The reference map is an outline of Los Angeles. The map includes the station fire filled in red; the major roads and highways indicating where the mass population blocs are located symbolized in the transparent brown dots. I did this to stress the impact the station fire had on the citizens of Los Angeles. It was one of the largest fires ever. The people located in the station fire had to evacuate immediately and the people that were near the fire had to relocate as well.⁴ The reference map shows how intense the station fire was by the size and proximity of the fire.

The thematic map zoned in on the fire. It stresses how easy and quickly the fire was spreading and the main civic centers for instance schools and hospitals that were affected.. The legend includes the hospitals indicated in the yellow ambulance sign; the rivers in blue lines; the minor highways in purple; the station fire in filled red; the parks in the green leafy area; school districts in the green zones; and the hill shade value in black and white. The map gives another viewpoint on the station fire's intensity.

The thematic map shows the extent the station fire had the parks and nature reserves. It consumed a large percent of the parks negatively impacting the wildlife habitat.⁵ Hundreds of animals were trapped and died in the fires and most lost their homes. It will still be unknown the magnitude of the amount of animals lost.

Both maps give a good understanding on the effects the station fire brought onto the people of Los Angeles. From habitats to school districts, no one could hide from the fire. Even I remember the smoke clouds it caused that reined over in Orange County for a couple of days. Nothing good came out the fire all from a homicide. Millions of dollars were lost and people's lives were at stake. Hopefully, no one would ever have to experience a fire like that again

1Current Fire Information. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Accessed October 29, 2009.

2"Station Fire Over La Cañada Flintridge Threatens Thousands Of Homes - Cbs2.com." CBS 2 - KCAL 9 - Los Angeles - Southern California - LA Breaking News, Weather, Traffic, Sports - Cbs2.com. 30 Aug. 2009. Web. May 2010. .

3Winton, Richard (September 4, 2009). "Substance found near Station fire ignition point is key evidence in arson probe". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-fire5-2009sep05,0,3683519.story. Retrieved May, 2010.

4Bloomekatz, Ari B. "Station Fire Is Largest in L.A. County's Modern History | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times." Top of the Ticket | Marking This Memorial Day Holiday with Kate Smith and Her 'God Bless America' | Los Angeles Times. LA Now, 2 Sept. 2009. Web. May 2010. .

5BELTZER, YVONNE. "Station Fire Takes a Big Toll: Wildlife Habitat Lost | NBC Los Angeles." Los Angeles - Local News, Weather, Traffic, Entertainment, Events, Breaking News | NBC Los Angeles. 4 Sept. 2009. Web. May 2010. .