A 500 acre forest fire in the rugged and very steep hills of Sierra Madre, California marks the beginning of LA's fire season. Fire crews made fast work of knocking down the flames and didn't lose any significant structures. Over 1000 local residents were asked to leave their homes because of the fire. Inmate labor was used to fight the flames and dig fire breaks in the brutal 94 plus degree heat. Aircraft from Aero Union-P3A , LA County-firecopters, along with a CDF firecopter fought the fire from the air.
Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008
