LOS ANGELES — The firestorm devastating Southern California is, inevitably, affecting rail operations.
Metrolink has suspended operations today (Thursday, Jan. 9) on its Antelope Valley Line between Lancaster and Vista Canyon because of firefighting activity, the operator reports. The suspension is until further notice.
According to a Los Angeles Times map, the Lidia fire, at 348 acres as of 4:30 p.m. CT, is burning in Soledad Canyon near Acton; that canyon includes the rail line. And evacuation areas for the Hurst Fire, between Sylmar and Newhall, include some of the Antelope Valley Line.
Elsewhere, wind damage has led LA Metro to replace trains with buses on its light rail A Line between the Southwest Museum station in LA’s Mount Washington neighborhood and the Fillmore station in Pasadena. This work is expected to continue into Friday. Metro also announced it has suspended rail and bus fares because power outages throughout the region have made it difficult for some customers to purchase or reload their fare cards.
— Updated at 6 p.m. CT to include Metro fare suspensions.
