Fire Update 8:20a (10/25)

From rimoftheworld.net ...

With most of the active fire in rugged wilderness areas south and east of Running Springs, very little new information was available overnight. Crews worked overnight to continue to douse hot spots and shore up fire lines. Winds subsided and slowed the progress of the fire. The Grass Fire in the Lake Arrowhead area showed very little activity, with some limited burning well within the fire's perimeter. The Slide Fire near Running Springs did have some active burning with 3 to 6 foot flame lengths reported overnight.

As of 11:30 PM, the Grass Fire had consumed 1,100 acres. Over 100 homes were lost, primarily in the Grass Valley area. No homes were lost in Twin Peaks, despite earlier reports. The primary concern for the 1,051 fire personnel is the eastern side of the fire as winds are expected to shift today. The fire growth potential remains high, according to the US Forest Service.

Firefighters worked tirelessly to successfully save two camps from the flames near Green Valley Lake. Both the Calvary Chapel Camp and the Cedar Crest Camp were saved. Fire crews along with 12 engines and two bulldozers kept the flames at bay.

Fire Update 2:15p (10/24)

From rimoftheworld.net

Despite poor visibility, firefighters are making good progress on the Slide and Grass Fires today. Poor visiblity has prevented the fixed wing aircraft from making drops, but 14 helicopters are working both the Slide and Grass Fires along with over a thousand fire personnel. The fire has continued to burn toward Big Bear with news helicopters placing it 2 miles to the west of the Big Bear Dam. However, its progress has slowed as it has moved into the burn area for the Butler Fires, and firefighters are optimistic about the eastward progress halting.

Chief Michael Sherman, from the Crest Forest Fire District, stated that the department is "cautiously optimistic" about the progress of the firefighting in the district communities. Crest Forest Fire District serves Crestline, Cedarpines Park, Valley of Enchantment, Rim Forest and Twin Peaks. He stated that the district "has not suffered any structural losses at this time."

Fire Update 10:45 a (10/24)

More good news on the fire front (from rimoftheworld.net) ...

According to John Miller of the US Forest Service, the westward advance of the Slide Fire stalled overnight. Flames got as far west as Heaps Peak between the waste transfer station and the radio towers. The front to the south of Green Valley Lake has moved toward Highway 18 and Snow Valley. It was less than 1/4 mile from the highway.

In the Running Springs area, catastrophic fire activity burned through Fredalba and Smiley Park with widespread losses. The fire burned along the southern edge of Running Springs, eastward, to the Rimwood Ranch area. In Green Valley Lake, only 80 of the nearly 1,200 homes were destroyed, according to news reports.

Damage assessment teams have begun the difficult task of surveying property and infrastructure damage. They began in the Green Valley Lake area and will work their way westward into Arrowbear Lake and the Running Springs area. Maps will be available as soon as the survey is complete. A briefing is being planned at the evacuation center at the Orange Show Fairgrounds in San Bernardino this afternoon. We will update the site when a time has been determined.

Fire Update 9:15a (10/24)

Hey all, this from rimoftheworld.net:

A wind change overnight has slowed the advance of the fire and spread smoke in the Big Bear area for the first time. Fourteen helicopters are staging at Big Bear Airport and have begun heading to assignments within the fires. Additionally, air tankers, including Tanker 910, are expected to provide a continual aerial bombardment of fire retardant at five minute intervals. Sheriff's Officers, when they are not checking on looters, arsonists, and gawkers, are canvassing the area reporting any spot fires that are nearing homes. Today is the day the fires will feel our retaliation.

So it looks like things are going as well as can be expected. I had heard that since the Santa Anas were dying down, and were being replaced by onshore winds that this would affect the fires. It looks like its affected the mountain fires in a positive way, slowing advancement and effectively turning the fires on themselves a bit.

More later as it becomes available.

Fire Update 2:40p (10/23)

From rimoftheworld.net ...
Firefighters have begun evacuating 27 patients from Mountains Community Hospital in Lake Arrowhead. The fire is reportedly an imminent threat to Pali Mountain Camp. Fire officals are now concerned that the Slide Fire will make a run toward Lake Arrowhead and Cedar Glen this afternoon, according to reports.

I heard on KFI (radio) from their helicopter in Lake Arrowhead that the Slide fire (the Running Springs one) is the real danger right now. The Grass fire (Blue Jay/Twin Peaks) was successfully slowed down because of all the attention that it received from planes and helicopters yesterday (they hit the area it was trying to spread to, effectively slowing it down). I don't believe it is contained, just slowed. The KFI guy also said (contrary to my earlier post) that the slide fire is still around 10 miles from Lake Arrowhead. He additionally said that smoke is becoming a real problem for the aircraft fighting the fires so that they might not be able to continue on. Also, the radio hosts said the winds were slowing down a bit, so that might help some.

More later,
Neal

Fire Update (2:07p 10/23)

Just read this (taken from the "scanner") ...

AA said that the fire from Green Valley Lake is running strong making a big push to Arrowhead and he believes it will make it there today. The fires is about 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 miles from Lake Arrowhead; it will bump the old burn, but there is still some fuel in there.

I'm not sure who "AA" is, but I think this is the police/fire/emergency scanner ... it looks like more danger for Lake Arrowhead.

Quick fire bit ...

Just got this from Dad (who got it from the director of Alpine) ...

This mornings report is good. It looks like Alpine has been spared. We will keep you posted.