Photo Gallery: Three Year Anniversary of the Santa Anita Fire

Last week marked the three year anniversary of the Santa Anita Fire, which, between April 26 and 29, burned much of the hillside above Sierra Madre. It is estimated that nearly 400 acres of wild land was burned.

During the fire, around 1,000 Sierra Madre residents were evacuated in areas from Oak Crest Drive across Carter Avenue to East Mira Monte Avenue,  down Mountain Trail Avenue, across Grand View Avenue and to Santa Anita Avenue.

While those concerned residents looked on, more than 400 firefighters worked tirelessly to fight the flames as helicopters circled above, providing air support.

Following the fire, many popular hiking destinations--including Adam's Pack Station, Chantry Flats and the Mt. Wilson trail--were closed.

Now, three years later, with spring flowers in bloom and the trails more beautiful than ever, it is almost difficult to remember the utter devastation caused by the fire.

This photo gallery--which includes shots taken during and in the days following the fire, as well as recent shots of a largely regrown, even lush, hillside--offers a  testament to the fact that, given time, nature, much like man, can self-heal.

Editor's Note: Special thanks to of the Sierra Madre Weekly who risked life, limb and lung to get some of the most breathtaking shots of the Santa Anita Fire and who shared a few of those photographs with Patch for this gallery.