A section of Bouquet Canyon Road within Angeles National Forest will be closed Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, at 9 p.m., in advance of this week’s predicted storm event. The 3.5-mile stretch of road is prone to flooding with even minor flow in adjacent Bouquet Canyon Creek. The road will remain closed as long as conditions warrant.

The closure will extend from approximately 2 miles north of Vasquez Canyon Road to 5.5 miles north of Vasquez Canyon Road. Gates will be locked near Mile Marker 15.97 near the southern boundary of Angeles National Forest, and on the north near Mile Marker 12.55, south of Big Oaks Lodge. There are no homes or businesses within the closure area.

Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.

LA County Public Works has issued a no phase mud and debris flow (see definition below) for the rain approaching Thursday evening thru Friday. Rainfall is expected to be 0.5 – 1.0 inches across Los Angeles County and 1″ – 2″ of rainfall in the mountains.

LA County Fire will be augmenting staffing and Firefighters will be patrolling the burn areas during the rain event to maintain careful watch.

Assistant Fire Chief Greg Hisel is requesting that residents who have automated gates keep the gates unlocked and open during this upcoming rain event and for future rain events. “Keeping the electronic gates open during rain events will ensure that emergency response will not be delayed and that fire patrols will be able to access your property to watch for any potential threat,” said Chief Hisel.

The weather service has issued a flash flood watch. A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.

Residents of the burn area should always remain alert during any rainfall event. Call 911 immediately should you see mud, debris, or rocks flowing from the burn areas and hillsides.

Firefighters and first responders will respond and investigate the potential threat. Residents are encouraged to self evacuate if conditions change quickly and debris is beginning to flow from the hillsides.

Please see definitions below for NO PHASE, PHASE 1 – Phase 3 Mud and Debris Flow

The debris and mudflow potential forecast is based upon a review of watershed conditions and weather forecasts from the National Weather Service and other weather predicting sources. It represents conditions within the watershed that could lead to debris and mudflow events. Debris and mudflows are highly unpredictable events. The following description is to assist storm response Divisions and emergency response agencies to plan accordingly:

NO PHASE
Rain is forecast by the National Weather Service, but the amount of rain and/or watershed conditions are not anticipated to produce appreciable amounts of debris on streets or specific public infrastructure locations. Reports of debris on private property may be received by emergency response entities. Few, if any, structures are anticipated to be endangered, other than those advised to be prepared to evacuate with any forecast of rain.

PHASE I
Small isolated debris and mudflows possible at specific public infrastructure locations. Streets may be flooded or blocked by debris. Reports of debris on private property may be received by emergency response entities. A few structures may be endangered, in addition to those advised to be prepared to evacuate with any forecast of rain.

PHASE 2
Moderate debris and mudflows possible at more widespread locations. Some streets may be completely blocked by debris. Depending on location and terrain, some structures may be endangered, in addition to those advised to be prepared to evacuate with any forecast of rain.

PHASE 3
The potential exists for significant debris and mudflows to be widespread over specific areas. Streets may be blocked and considered unsafe for travel. Many structures could be endangered by debris and mudflows. Extreme caution should be exercised below uncontrolled canyons due to sudden debris flows.