Current Events

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July 11, 2018, 8:00 AM Current Situation:

Fire behavior was quiet overnight.  Fire containment increased to 24% since yesterday, but is not expected to increase significantly in the coming days due to steep, rugged terrain preventing firefighters from accessing many portions of the fire.  Crews today will be working on chipping cleared brush along Highway 38, constructing fire line, and reinforcing and improving established containment lines.  Helicopters will continue dropping water on areas of high heat within the uncontained fire perimeter.  Additionally, a portable fire retardant plant has been established to support reinforcement of existing fire retardant lines.  While rain yesterday decreased fire activity, fuels continue to be drier than usual for this time of year due to recent drought history.  There continues to be a chance for isolated thunderstorms, presenting a risk for strong winds increasing fire activity and/or flash flooding with associated debris and mud flows.  A community meeting is scheduled tonight beginning at 7:30 PM at the Angelus Oaks Fire Station.

Trail Closures: All portions of the San Gorgonio Wilderness managed by USDA Forest Service are closed to entry.  This includes the Momyer Trail, Vivian Creek Trail, San Bernardino Peak Trail, Forsee Creek Trail, South Fork Trail, and Aspen Grove Trail. 

Road Status:

• Residents of Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, and Angelus Oaks with ID and proof of residency are allowed through the closure at Hwy 38 and Bryant Street to access their homes.  A pilot car will continue to escort traffic on Hwy 38 between the Hwy 38/Valley of the Falls Drive intersection and Angelus Oaks until 7:00 PM tonight.  Highway 38 will be open without a pilot car after 7:00 PM.
• Highway 38 is open from Big Bear, CA, to the intersection with Sugar Pines Circle in Angelus Oaks. All campgrounds and organizational camps in the Barton Flats and Heart Bar areas are open, however, these areas are only accessible from Big Bear, utilizing Hwy 330 to Hwy 18, and then south on Hwy 38. 

Personnel: There are currently over 612 personnel actively fighting this fireincluding 39 Engines, 14 Hand Crews, 5 Water-tenders, 2 Dozers and 9 Helicopters. A Type 2 Management Team as been order to take command of the fire.

Fire Works: Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forests!

Drones: Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. When drones interfere with firefighting efforts, a wildfire has the potential to grow larger and cause more damage. A FAA Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) may be in effect and any private aircraft or drone that violates the TFR could face serious criminal charges. Even without a TFR, anyone who hampers firefighting efforts could face charges as well. For more information on drones the public can visit the FAA’s website at www.KnowBeforeYouFly.org. “If you fly, we can’t!”