Full Notification

 
In anticipation of another significant winter storm this season, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has issued a Phase 1 Debris Flow Alert and the National Weather Service (NOAA) has issued a Flash Flood Watch for recent burn areas including Fish Fire from late Wednesday evening through Friday morning.  In response to this information, the City of Duarte’s Fish Fire Impact Area is moving to the Yellow Alert level starting March 21st at 12:00 p.m. through Friday, March 23 at 7:00 am. Due to expected debris flow, Mel Canyon only will also be closed to thru traffic beginning March 21^st at 6:00 pm through March 23 at 7:00 am.
 
Rainfall rates in the Duarte area are predicted to range from 0.6 inches to 0.75 per hour for the storm for a total of approximately 2.5 inches for the entire event.   In preparation for this potential occurrence, the City of Duarte staff will be placing warning notices on all vehicles parked within the impact area Starting tomorrow, March 21st and begin installing wood wall deflectors to existing K-Rails on the affected portions of Mel Canyon Rd. on March 21^st starting at 4:00 pm. Both Los Angeles County Sheriff and Fire Departments are also bringing in additional resources.  The City of Duarte’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will remain open through the weather event and stay operational through any necessary clean-up efforts.
 
In terms of public services, Valley View School will remain open with student pick up and drop off occurring on Deerlane Drive due to the closure of Mel Canyon.  Duarte Transit will not be in operation in the Fish Fires Impact Area on either Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Burrtec Waste Industries though will be servicing the Fish Fire Impact Area per normal schedule on Friday, March 23, 2018. 
 
The City of Duarte always encourages residents in the Fish Fire Impact area to prepare BEFORE the storm. Starting March 21^st, filled sandbags will be available for those residing in the impact area at the corner of Brookridge Rd. and Opal Canyon. Unfilled sandbags and sand are also available at the Los Angeles County Fire Station Department 44, located at 1105 Highland Avenue in the rear area 24/7. 
 
 
During the Yellow Level residents in the Impact Area are advised to plan ahead and be advised of the below protocols:
 

• Intermittent street closures may occur to facilitate clean up and equipment mobilization.

 

• Residents are encouraged to move vehicles outside of the impact area.

 

• Rain-related parking restrictions in effect.

 

• Residents directed to remove vehicles, trash bins, and other obstructions from streets and/or travel lanes, as they will be subject to tow or removal by authorities.  

 
In the event of debris flow, the City’s Public Works Department will work to clear the streets to facilitate local access and emergency vehicles.  A more in depth clean up, facilitated by the City’s contractor Sully Miller, consisting of booming and street sweeping will continue afterwards.
 
Before and during the storm, residents are asked to contact either Duarte City Hall at 626 357-7931 or Duarte Public Safety at 626-357-7938 during regular business hours from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, March 21 and 22.  City Hall phones will also be open extended hours on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Public Safety phones will be open Friday, March 23^rd during regular hours from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.
 
For instant, up to date information, the City strongly advises all residents to sign up for FREE Duarte Nixle alerts. For text alerts, simply text the word “DUARTE” to 888777. For email alerts, visit www.nixle.com. The City of Duarte will also use Twitter @CityofDuarte to send out emergency information. Information about the Fish Fire is available at www.accessduarte.com under the “Resident” tab.