Santa Anita: ‘There is no direct threat’ to track from wildfire

One of the four major wildfires fanned by fierce wind in Southern California has moved within six miles of Santa Anita, but a statement from track officials Wednesday said it appeared the racecourse was out of harm’s way.

“As of 9 a.m. (PST), the Santa Anita Park fire marshal in coordination with local authorities reports there is no direct threat to Santa Anita Park from the wildfires to the north,” the track statement said. “The track continues to remain outside the voluntary evacuation zone. The winds are blowing from east to west, embers and smoke are being pushed into the mountains and away from Santa Anita Park. The fire’s progress is being consistently monitored, and any change will be updated accordingly.”

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The announcement concurred with what trainer John Shirreffs said earlier Wednesday morning when he expressed cautious optimism that the worst of the threat may have passed.

“Last night was a worry hoping the fires would stay west,” Shirreffs told Horse Racing Nation from his barn at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. “The wind has stopped at Santa Anita, but the smoke is not good. You can taste it, and eyes are irritated. ... When I tried to drive in last night, a eucalyptus tree had fallen right near the racetrack right by the mall.”

Even though the wind had died down by dawn Wednesday in Arcadia, Calif., the Santa Anita racing office still called off training.

“Due to sustained high winds, both tracks are closed for training today,” an overnight text message said. A similar notice was sent Tuesday morning, ending training just after 8:30 a.m. PST.

What is known locally as Santa Ana wind did some damage to barn roofs at Santa Anita, but Shirreffs said it was minor. Trainer Val Brinkerhoff told Daily Racing Form that his barn roof would need repair but that none of his horses was harmed.

Shirreffs said power was knocked out for about 12 hours before Southern California Edison restored it at 3:30 a.m. local time.

Trainer John Sadler posted a photo on X that he shot at 4 a.m. PST. Taken from the horsemen’s entrance on the southwest side of Santa Anita, it showed flames in the immediate distance to the northwest. Shirreffs shared a similar photo that he took from inside the stable area.

An update at 10:30 a.m. PST from the Santa Anita fire marshal said, “There is no change in conditions. Wind is holding and will (be) dropping over the next few hours. Water drops have increased as well. Currently, Santa Anita Park is not under evacuation orders, and the prevailing winds are directing smoke and ask away from the area. However, the situation remains dynamic.”

The Eaton fire that broke out Tuesday evening in nearby Altadena burned 16 1/2 square miles by dawn Wednesday, according to Cal Fire. Local, county and federal teams totaling 702 people have responded, but according to a 10:55 a.m. PST update, none of the fire had been contained.

Evacuations were ordered for foothill residents from La Cañada Flintridge 12 miles northwest of the track to Monrovia five miles to the northeast. Evacuation warnings, a level below the orders, were posted for the north side of the Foothill Freeway from Pasadena to Duarte. That zone is less than a mile from the Santa Anita stables.

Shirreffs said the fire had moved eastward just north of Orange Grove Boulevard, which runs parallel to the Foothill Freeway and is the edge of the mandatory-evacuation zone. At its closest, the street is about 1 1/2 miles from the perimeter of Santa Anita, although the fire had not reached that point.

According to Cal Fire, animal evacuation shelters have been made available at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, the Pierce College Equestrian Center in Woodland Hills and the Agoura Animal Care Center in Agoura Hills. Shirreffs did not think any horses had been moved out of the Santa Anita stable area.

“Our thoughts are with everyone in our community affected by the wildfires,” the Santa Anita statement said. “While the track is not in any imminent danger, Santa Anita has instituted a voluntary evacuation for any trainer who would like to move their horses due to poor air quality. Santa Anita will relocate those horses to another (California Horse Racing Board) facility.” Los Alamitos, which is 23 miles away, and San Luis Rey, 76 miles from Santa Anita, are the alternatives available right now in Southern California.

The fires across Los Angeles County have forced at least 30,000 residents out of their homes, mostly in the coastal hills of Pacific Palisades. An estimated 13,000 buildings were under threat, according to The Associated Press. The county fire chief said at least two people were killed and one firefighter injured in the Eaton fire. CNN reported more than 1,000 burned-down structures across L.A. County.

“If you have been evacuated from your homes, you are welcome to come to the Santa Anita grandstand with food and beverage provided,” the track racing office said in its text to horsemen. “Hoping you are all safe, and if there is anything we can do for you, we are ready to assist.”

The fires have been fueled by an abnormally dry winter and desert wind that may have reached gusts of 100 mph Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The National Weather Service predicted north-northeast wind of 35-45 mph Wednesday with gusts to 65 mph. By afternoon the velocity may be down to 25-35 mph dropping in the evening to 10-15 mph with gusts to 20 mph. No rain is in the forecast for at least the next week.

Because no track work was allowed Wednesday morning, horsemen were limited to having their horses walk their shed rows. Shirreffs said he did not ask any of his exercise riders to report for work.

According to AirNow.gov, the air-quality index in Arcadia was a hazardous 421 on Wednesday at 8:10 a.m. PST. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority prohibits training activity “more strenuous than a jog” if the index goes higher than 175.

Racing is scheduled to resume Friday at Santa Anita with cards also drawn for Saturday and Sunday. A track spokesperson said there was “no word yet on race plans for this week.”