These are posted chronologically, with the earliest letters posted at the bottom.

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Great job Bill.  I stayed up for two days in prayer knowing not only our Fire Dept was out there but individuals like you working just as hard. On the roof of my house, 46 E. Highland, Back cottage is a king size white bed comforter, removed from my very own bed, black spray paint, 'THANK YOU"  It will remain on the roof of my home until all is said and done.   Given the fact the air assistance crew flew directly over my home and are still in flight, you can not miss this. I stood on the roof of my cottage for 4 hours on Monday at dawn break after watching the unexpected lower ridge go up in such extream and fast moving flames, waving the air crew on with a thumbs up!!!  Thank you again for all prompt updates.  God Bless

Cherie Coakes  

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Thanks! Firefighters, police men, and Bill for setting this site

I had never dreamed that I would go through this experience in my life.   Although, it is horrific and sad however our firefighter, Policemen are so professional, really make this whole ordeal pass by without too much commotion.  Also, thanks to Bill for setting this site, really help me monitor this situation minute by minute.  What a great idea!

Thanks everybody who contribute to make Sierra Madre such a nice town to live.  I  am really appreciated and proud to be a  member of this nice community.

One small suggestion  in order to prevent something like this happen again in the future:  We need to have tighter and better control with the camper ground usage and entry to the park, especially during the high risk fire season.  Because majority of the campers they are not Sierra Madre residents, some of them just  don’t care to protect our beautiful community and environment as we do.  Maybe raise the entrance fee to support our courageous  fire fighters?!

Grace H.

Liliano Drive

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Dear Friends,

I would imagine that this little town of Sierra Madre made the national news re the fire we just went thru.  Its still going however, the danger to my Canyon home is over. Thanks to the brave fire fighters who stood in a line of defense and saved this canyon from burning.  I have a neighbor whose home is at the top of the canyon on Skyland Dr. He recently completed a swimming pool and had just filled it with 10,000 gallons of water. He also purchased a portable pool pump fire apparatus.  This City Planning Commission gave him a hard time and denied his building of the pool.  The neighbors went to the City Consul and demanded they over ride the planning Commission, which they did, thank God. According to the fire guys, that pool saved not only the home but furnished water to defend against spreading to homes, and the portable pump fire apparatus, worked as a second line for the Cal Fire pump truck who only had 500 gallons of water to defend that home.

We were evacuated late Sunday night as the flames crested the hill side and headed south into the Canyon towards our house. I know what other people went thru with  fires, not knowing if you will have a home.  Lots of Law Enforcement from all over patrolling the streets manning the barricades.  I ran into numerous who I knew.  I heard my name yelled out at 2AM from some Baldwin Park Pd officers wondering what I was doing in the Canyon. When I told them I lived in the canyon, all they could say was how beautiful this was to be here.  Well the beauty is kind of charred however, it will grow back. We are now back safe and sound and are cleaning up.  Thank you to all who called and or emailed, and for your prayers.  No Homes lost.  Thank you  Sierra Madre Fire Department, also participating Fire agencies, Sierra Madre Police and all participating Police and Sheriff deputies who protected our homes and endured the heat.

Ted and Janine Saraf

Sierra Madre California

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I lived in Sierra Madre from 1964 to 1969 and I was a little girl living on Mariposa and Michillinda. Sierra Madre was a great city and hope every one is okay there.  I live in Littleton, Colorado and have been there for 35 years but Sierra Madre was very special to me.  I hope everyone is doing okay and all of you are in my thoughts during this bad fire.  I would like to come out and help fight that darn fire,  but I am so far away.  Good Luck Sierra Madre and sure miss your City!!!!!  It was a fun City to live at when I was a little girl,  Lots of good memories,  and the big fire, I remember was 40 years ago when I was 8.  It was horrible and scary.  Good Luck on the fire and hope no one loses their homes,  Best of luck to all the firefighters, and all the people that are fighting the fire. 

Kim Watts Kostner

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Doug and Janice Hayes