Los Angeles lawyer web content producer Eric Spiegelman, an LA Observed reader from way back, made a time lapse video — 90 minutes in 24 seconds — of the smoke clouds from this afternoon's Station Fire eruption. Eric has more video at his Vimeo page. The fire took off in all directions across the face of the San Gabriels today and has forced evacuations of about 4,000 homes in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Altadena, Pasadena, La Crescenta and in Big Tujunga and Little Tujunga canyons. The fire has spread north as well as west and flames can be seen approaching Acton. "A perfect storm of fuel, weather and topography," incident commander Mike Dietrich said. Only a handful of residences have apparently burned; the acreage scorched is estimated at 20,000.

Evacuation centers:
La Cañada High School
Glendale Civic Auditorium
Crescenta Valley High School
Jackson Elementary School, Pasadena

Command post:
Hansen Dam Recreation Area in Lake View Terrace

Below, the view this afternoon looking north from the Angeles National Golf Club on Foothill Boulevard in Lake View Terrace (thanks to Lori Jablons).

From the 210 and 2 freeways interchange, also from Jablons:

Next is a Westside view of the smoke tower through the buildings of Century City by LA Observed contributor TJ Sullivan. Click any photo to see it larger.

* Corrections: Spiegelman is now a web content producer for GreeneStreet Films. And the golf course name in Lake View Terrace has been fixed.