Glendora, and surrounding cities, awoke to a sky engulfed in a dark plume of smoke that snuffed the morning sun just before 6 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16.
Named, “The Colby” fire, after a trail by which the fire is believed to have started, it raged on to burn 1,700 acres and has claimed two houses, according to authorities interviewed by the Los Angeles Times.
Arson investigators are working hand-in-hand with Glendora police and have arrested three suspects in suspicion of starting the fire.
Although Glendora is only 32 minutes away, estimated by Google Maps, from Cerritos College, wind has dragged the plume of fiery ash over the campus.
Cars and rooftops were covered in white and black ash particles and reflected a yellow orange glow across the sky.
Around 11 a.m., however, the yellow orange look vanished and the sky went back to its original blueish hue.
The ash that lingered throughout the campus, however, still affected students such as Sonita Keo, undecided major.
“I think it’s pretty bad,” Keo said, “I watched the news and they said to not work out outside of the house.”
Keo is a student with asthma, the most vulnerable in these situations.
“I’ve been coughing all day,” Keo said. “I try to stay inside buildings.”
Students with breathing problems or asthmatic conditions should stay indoors, according to Keo.
Other students, such as undecided major Megan Duro, feels as if the fire and ash has no affect to her.
“There has been fires going on since I was in elementary,” Duro said, “I’ve always walked to school so I’m pretty much used to it.”
There have been fires way as back as the 1700s, according to joinlafd.org.
School athletics are aware of hazardous conditions and always have a vigilant eye to protect the student body, according to Dr. Daniel Smith, dean of athletics.
“Our athletic trainer keeps his eye on the air quality website,” Smith said, “This morning it (the website) said air quality was poor.
“We should not have anyone that’s asthmatic participate in any activity.”
The message of the air warning was then relayed to all coaches and faculty.
Smith added, “The warning was then lifted on the site and I just got an e-mail from him (athletic trainer) saying now the restrictions are now lifted, the wind has shifted and now there is no issue in our area.”
Smith and the rest of the athletic department are very sensitive on air quality and is always up to date on the effects of wild fires and the causes of it.
