High winds cause havoc over Southern California area

2011 SCFCC MT. WILSON CHRISTMAS PARTY PICTURES

Caution:  Bears have been spotted around the mountain

Bears and trash service

Mail and deliveries

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pasadena and Sierra Madre declare a state of emergency as winds ripped through Southern California Wednesday and Thursday.  The winds

caused traffic accidents and power failures in several areas leaving at least 300,000 Southern Cal homes without power Thursday.  Pasadena officials closed all schools and were

warning residents to stay home, as it wasn't safe to travel in such winds which is  said to of had gusts up to  97 mph.  Flying debris along with downed trees and power lines caused some very serious

concerns for officials.  The mountaintops that sit above this area, Mounts Wilson and Harvard are experiencing problems of their own.  They have both been on backup generator

power since late Wednesday night as both main and back up Southern California Edison feeds went down. The wind advisory will last at least until Saturday 4pm

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Richland Towers sponsored the 2011 SCFCC Christmas Party.  Southern California Edison did a presentation on the new
power distribution system feeding Mts. Wilson and Harvard.

__________________

Bears

Caution, bears have been spotted at both the Fox transmitter site on Tuesday October 13 and the TBN transmitter site on Sunday evening October 18.  Another was also spotted 1/4 mile from Red Box Road, near the turn off for Mt. Disappointment on Friday evening on October 16.  These sightings are believed to be two  different bears.  The bottom line is that extreme caution needs to be taken.  Please do not leave any food or trash outside of your buildings or your vehicles.  Also, please do not intentionally feed them.  This will only attract more and can lead to serious injury or worse.  And remember...A fed bear is a dead bear.  When bears get used to getting their food source from humans, they will return time and time again.  When wildlife managers are needed to deal with the bear, they will try discouraging it with pepper spray or rubber bullets.  They may also try relocating it.  These methods are usually not very successful and unfortunately can lead to the bear having to be destroyed. 

Yellowstone National Park Guideline

 

If you encounter a bear, do not run. Bears can run over 30 miles per hour, or 44 feet per second, faster than Olympic sprinters. Running may elicit an attack from otherwise non-aggressive bears. If the bear is unaware of you, detour away from the bear. If the bear is aware of you and nearby, but has not acted aggressively, slowly back away. Tree climbing to avoid bears is popular advice but not very practical in many circumstances. All black bears, all grizzly cubs, and some adult grizzlies can climb trees. Running to a tree may provoke an otherwise uncertain bear to chase you. Some bears will bluff their way out of a threatening situation by charging, then veering off or stopping abruptly at the last second. Bear experts generally recommend standing still until the bear stops and then slowly backing away. If a bear makes physical contact, drop to the ground, lie face down, and clasp your hands behind your neck. It may take all the courage you have, but lie still and remain silent. Resistance will only provoke the bear. Before moving, listen and look around carefully to make sure the bear is no longer nearby.

__________________

Bears and Trash

Regarding the need for "Bear Proof Dumpsters".  I have been handling all of my clients trash on the mountain since Waste Management stopped trash service a few years ago.  I pick the trash up directly from the buildings once a week and haul it off the mountain immediately.  Since the station fire and in fact since I have been providing trash service there has only been one incident at one station which was dealt with immediately.  I do not understand nor do I see a need for the expense of "Bear Proof Dumpsters" which in turn would limit trash service to only two times a month through the Forest Service.   To anyone that does not use my service and would like to...please contact me.

Bear Proof? Taken at Red Box by Ralph Ortiz

Contact Me

__________________

__________________

Mail service

Mail service has yet to resume on Mt. Wilson.