“We planted the tree years ago,” she said.
Her entire neighborhood was littered with tree branches, which the Glendale Public Works Department cleaned up, Dorosy said.
“Everyone was trying to back out their cars, but no one could go down the street,” she said.
The high winds also fueled a massive fire Monday through Little Tujunga and Kagal canyons. Another fire started Sunday night in the Marek Canyon area.
The Marek blaze Monday killed at least one man and his dog, who were living at a homeless encampment.
Residents in Lopez Canyon extending to Hubbard Street and near the northbound Foothill (210) Freeway and Kagel Canyon were ordered to evacuate their houses.
A Glendale Fire Department strike team made up of three fire engines and led by Battalion Chief Greg Fish was sent about 5 a.m. to the blaze to stop the fire from destroying homes, Fire Capt. Tom Propst said.
The Glendale fire team, along with a Burbank and Pasadena Fire Department engine, responded to the fire because they make up the California Fire and Rescue Emergency Mutual Aid System.
As fire teams fought the blaze, California Highway Patrol and California Department of Transportation officials shut down roadways and major freeways, causing major gridlock.
Closures affected the north and southbound Golden State (5) Freeway, east and westbound Foothill Freeway, Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway and northbound Glendale (2) Freeway to the Foothill Freeway.
Fire danger remains high for the Glendale area and foothills due to the high winds and low humidity, Propst said.
He advised residents to be prepared if a fire should occur in Glendale.
“The biggest thing is that we need residents to evacuate when we ask them to for their own safety,” Propst said.
Residents should immediately evacuate so the roadways are clear for firefighters, he added.
“The quicker we can get through, the quicker we can put out the fire,” he said.
Glendale fire stations were on high alert Monday and checked their neighborhoods for potential fire dangers, Propst said.
“They are just making sure they are visible,” he said.
Monday’s fire also led to an unhealthful-air-quality warning, said Sam Atwood, a South Coast Air Quality Management District spokesman.
“Residents who can see some fire and smell fire should exercise caution,” he said.
People should avoid exercising outdoors due to the high levels of smoke, Atwood said.
VERONICA ROCHA covers public safety and the courts. She may be reached at (818) 637-3232 or by e-mail at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.
