Sierra Madre fire rages on, amid evacuations

4/27/2008 SIERRA MADRE A residential area on the outskirts of the city of Sierra Madre near Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park was ordered evacuated Sunday afternoon.

Elisa Weaver of the Arcadia Fire Department says the fire was first reported Saturday afternoon in a wooded area off Santa Anita Canyon Road a few miles northeast of Pasadena. It was windy at the time and unseasonably hot, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees.

Weaver says the fire broke out in a popular hiking area, and its cause remains under investigation. It has burned at least 350 acres.

The blaze also left 50 guests from a wedding party stranded at a ranger's station.

Homes in the following areas are being evacuated:

• Western Section
  Oak Crest Drive north of Carter Avenue
  North of Carter Avenue East to Mira Monte Avenue to Mountain Trail
• Eastern Section
  Sierra Madre Lower and Upper Canyons
  All areas North of Grand View Avenue from Mountain Trail east to Santa Anita Avenue

Evacuation shelters have been set up at:

• Hart Senior Park House
  222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
• Congregational Church
  170 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Click here for more information on the evacuations