Running Springs Smolders | Damage Assessed

Comparison Fire Map -- Comparing the 2003 Old Fire burn with the 2007 Butler Peak, Green Valley, and Slide fires in the San Bernardino National Forest. Old Fire (Grey area), Butler 2 (Yellow) and Slide/Grass/Devore fires. (Orange). Unknown what orange area is near San Bernardino. Image Credit: USDA Forest Service

Running Springs Smolders Damage Assessed
(Last Updated November 1, 2007)

THE SLIDE FIRE IS NOW 100% CONTAINED WITH 12,759 ACRES BURNED.THE GRASS VALLEY FIRE IS 100% CONTAINED WITH 1,247 ACRES BURNED.

The San Bernardino County Assessor Reports 451 Structures Lost Due to Slide and Grass Valley Fires, 67 Damaged

At MAXINE, We Offer Our Prayers And Good Wished To All Those Who Have Had Loss And For All Those Who Worked To Save And Inform Throughout This Fire Emergency Incident In The San Bernardino National Forest.

This from KBHR 93.3FM (11-1-07) -

San Bernardino National Forest to Remain Closed Until We Get Rain or Snow The San Bernardino National Forest does remain closed, not just as a result of the Slide and Grass Valley Fires, but also in anticipation of more Santa Ana winds this weekend.

John Miller of the U.S. Forest Service tells KBHR, “Closing the forest is a preventative measure because it's a fact that most fires are human caused, and by that I don't necessarily mean arson.” The U.S. Forest Service has already pre-positioned crews throughout Southern California's forested areas, as an added preventative measure, should Santa Ana winds kick up this weekend.

Though the Big Bear area's Serrano Campground, Alpine Pedal Path and Juniper Point are open, Miller notes, “We are not going to reopen the forest until we get a significant amount of rain or snow.”

UPDATE October 30, 2007 -

Per San Bernardino County: 352 Properties Destroyed, 59 Damaged;
Grass Valley Visit for Evacuees Tuesday The County of San Bernardino has released information on properties damaged or destroyed by the Slide and Grass Valley Fire

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The County Assessor's Office has released damage reports.
Lake Arrowhead
Green Valley Lake
Running Springs, Enchanted Forest, Smiley Park, Crab Flats

Source: http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/assessor/
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This daily posting series on the wildland fires in the San Bernardino National Forest should be the last unless circumstances change on the ground for the worse.

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Today (Day 7) finds that great improvement has taken place on both fires with the Grass Valley Fire containment set at 95%, and the target containment date is expected today – the Slide Fire has a 'growth potential' noted as reduced to Medium and there was precipitation on several areas of the fire. Current Situation: Total Personnel 2,129 Size 12,789 acres Percent Contained 65%.

The best news is that the first damage assessments have been released on the some of the 300+ structures and located at a link provided by the county of San Bernardino.

Slide Fire Perimeter Oct 27 – Image Credit: US Forest Service

This excerpt was posted at FIREupdate.com –

Sunday, October 28, 2007 - 3:08 AM - INLAND EMPIRE

The first official list of burned homes from the San Bernardino County Assessors Office is here.

The fact that it took this long to get this list out is pathetic. I would hope that all of you express your feelings about the battened disregard for evacuees rights to know what the government knows of this subject to be expressed. This is the second time that the decided on their own to keep secrets from the general public. There needs to be a better system. There needs to be a better way. Last time, everyone got pissed off and then they forgot about it. Don't let it happen again. Why should they not tell the public for days on end when they know such things.

I understand not letting information public when it could be in accurate. But keeping it from people when it's incomplete is not right.

I don't even live anywhere close to a burn area but I stay up night and day trying to get the information out there. The fact that elected officials work against me and all others who are trying to get the information out is horrible.
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If I offended anyone by publishing burn reports before the official report came out then please let me know. I talked to many people who lost their homes in the last week. It's not easy. But I believe that the information I provided was beneficial. I know that officials of the county and state know exactly who I am and I know that they don't like the way I do things. Ranger Al was told a couple years ago that he would be the first one escorted off the mountain if this would ever happen again.

We may have had a muzzle put over our mouth this time but I hope that enough other people took the reigns this time.

In 2003 this website was established to inform evacuees what was going on in their community when officials wouldn't tell them. In 2007, we proved that nothing has changed.
Reference Here>>

We, at MAXINE, will post links to additional damage assessments here in this post as they are released.

Rim Of The World - Home List
(lists received from eyewitness reports and homeowners)

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PHOTO GALLERY
(click on gallery folders for photo evidence - EX. the one that says "grass and slide fire home survey"...)

The Fire Advances in Deep Creek from Valkyrie in Running Springs Slide Fire 10/25/07 – Image Credit: ROTW Photo Gallery (“grass and slide fire home survey”)

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Link Button For County Assessor Reports - Update #5: 10/28/2007 4:40pm

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This Slide and Green Valley Wildland Fire summary update from InciWeb –

Incident -- Contained -- Acres -- Updated

Slide ---------- 65% ----- 12,789 -- 9:00pm PT 10-27-07

Grass Valley - 95% ------- 1,140 -- 9:00pm PT 10-27-07

Summary (Slide Wildland Fire)

Mandatory Evacuation for east of Crestline to Snow Valley. Voluntary evacuations in place for Crestline, Cedar Pines Park, Lake Gregory and Valley of Enchantment. Voluntary evacuation for Highland has been lifted. Evacuation Centers are located at National Orange Show in San Bernardino and the Victorville Fairgrounds in Victorville. All highways in the San Bernardino Mountains west of Big Bear Dam are closed to upbound traffic except for those with Sheriff's passes to voluntary areas. Access to Big Bear is via Hwy 38 from I-10 in Redlands or from Hwy 18 through the Hi-Desert in Lucerne Valley.

Summary (Grass Valley Wildland Fire)

Fire is northwest of Lake Arrowhead. Mandatory Evacuation for east of Crestline to Snow Valley. Voluntary evacuations in place for Crestline, Cedar Pines Park, Lake Gregory and Valley of Enchantment. Evacuation Centers are located at National Orange Show in San Bernardino and the Victorville Fairgrounds in Victorville. All highways in the San Bernardino Mountains west of Big Bear Dam are closed to upbound traffic except for those with Sheriff's passes to voluntary evacuation areas.

Toppled power pole on Deep Creek Drive in Running Springs (10/25/07) - Image Credit: ROTW Photo Gallery (“grass and slide fire home survey”)

This excerpt was posted at FIREupdate.com –

Sunday, October 28, 2007 - 10:14 AM

-- Slide Fire: 12,789 acres in Green Valley Lake area of the San Bernardino Mountains. 75 percent contained. 201 homes, three outbuildings destroyed. 5,500 residences threatened. One firefighter injured. Firefighting cost: $7 million.

-- Grass Valley Fire: 1,140 acres in Grass Valley area of the San Bernardino Mountains. 95 percent contained. 162 homes destroyed. 6,000 threatened. Firefighting cost: $4.6 million.

More lost homes on Deep Creek dr. Running Springs (10/25/07) - Image Credit: ROTW Photo Gallery (“grass and slide fire home survey”)
Excerpted from Socalmountains.com Scanner/Chat Forum –

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:46:52
Per Scanner: BDF responding to a vegetation fire. Hwy 330 at City Creek. Engines 34R, 34, M32, SMI241, SMI241A, ABD612, WNP2, PNF16, WT33, PAT11.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:47:07
Per Scanner: Smoke Showing on tihs fire. Confirmed new veggie fire Hwy 330 at City Creek.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:49:00
Per Scanner: Ordering up aircraft for this new fire

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:49:21
This fire is near the bottom of 330.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:53:18
**NEW FIRE BOTTOM OF HWY 330**
Per Engine 34R, he is on scene. Large Spot calling this incident the "330 incident". Helicopters from the slide are on their way.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:53:51
Cancelling the fixed wings. Are going to use the many helicopters already working the slide and grass valley fires.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:54:52
Luckily we have TONS of resources on the mountaintop. They will redeploy as necessary.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:55:49
when did the fire on the bottom of 330 start

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:55:50
Per Scanner: We have knock down of this new fire on hwy 330. Cancel are incoming resources. There is already a strike team on scene.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:56:13
xxxx, just a few minutes ago, but now they have knockdown. Luckily all the resources we have up here were there VERY quickly.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 14:59:42
Resources on the 330 incident will be tied up for about an hour for mop up. Was a large spot, but has been knocked down.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 15:00:13
xxxx, they will be mopping up for the weeks to come, but from a technical standpoint, the fire isn't moving much at all, just many hot spots within the burns.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 15:19:55
Per Scanner: CHP has a motorcyclist in custody related to this new fire on hwy 330. I say if he did it, burn him!

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 15:42:09
Water tower on fire, the irony....

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 15:42:49
Next thing you know they'll be a call from a fireplace being flooded...

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 15:43:11
**RECAP**
A fire was reported at 2:45PM today on hwy 330 at City Creek. Luckily resources from the Slide were able to quickly gain access and knock down this fire (it was a large spot). Currently they have a motorcyclist in custody for possibily being involved with starting this fire. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 15:44:11
Per Scanner: CHP now holding a possible another arson suspect in a Ford Ranger in the same area.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 16:28:02
S.B County Assessor has a list of damaged and destoyed properties at this website [Click Here]

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 16:29:19
The list is for Lake Arrowhead and Green Valley Lake

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 16:29:58
Thank you xxxx. I'll add it to the forum that has the links to that info.

Sunday 28 October 2007 - 16:30:33
Wait, its already there. DUH. Running Springs is what we are waiting for to put in the thread.
Sunday 28 October 2007 - 16:34:29
xxxx's house in GVL is SAFE! His home was on the list of "total loss" from the assesor, however, they had made a mistake. Taking his home off that list now. Just goes to show no list is 100% correct.

Fire damaged neighborhood near downtown Running Springs 10/25/07 - Image Credit: ROTW Photo Gallery (“grass and slide fire home survey”) -- Kelly the Cable Guy

This Slide and Green Valley Wildland Fire summary update from InciWeb –

Incident -- Contained -- Acres -- Updated

Slide --------- 85% ----- 12,789 -- 7:15pm PT

Grass Valley - 95% ------- 1,247 -- 7:15pm PT

-- END OF DAY --

UPDATES For October 29, 2007

This from CalFire - 10:am PT -

San Bernardino County

Slide Fire – 12,789 acres – 90% contained
Grass Valley Fire - 1,247 acres – 95% contained

Excerpted from Socalmountains.com Scanner/Chat Forum –

Monday 29 October 2007 - 12:04:02
12:03 PM
Mon 10/29 Nevato Engineer Steve Rucker who lost his life this day on the Cedar Fire in 2003. Steve was a dearly loved son, father, and brother who gave so much of his heart for those he loved. Those you worked with dearly miss you. Let's all observe a moment of silence for Steve.11:59 AM
Mon 10/29 All engines and stations observe a moment of silence in honor of Steven Rucker who lost his life this day on the Cedar Fire in 2003.11:53 AM
Mon 10/29 Morton Peak observed smoke just the right of Mount R (from rotw)

Monday 29 October 2007 - 13:37:32
09:06 AM
Mon 10/29 Everything above the 330 has been energized, the power is back on. (Response: Yeah, that's good news.)08:32 AM
Mon 10/29 Edison is going to be bringing a (broken) into Heap's Peak today, scouting the burn area for setting some poles in the future.

Monday 29 October 2007 - 14:51:37
running springs damage report is in – go to the SB County Assessor’s office website
[link provided above in post]

Monday 29 October 2007 - 15:18:22
Updated Forum/Fires/News & Updates with 10/29/07 2:30 PM Monday Update Lake Arrowhead Confirmed Damaged or Destroyed Structures
from rotw

Monday 29 October 2007 - 15:22:38
Updated Forums/Fires/News 7 Updates thread:
10/29/07 Grass Valley Site Visit Scheduled For Tuesday -- Residents and property owners of Grass Valley will be given an opportunity to view their homes and properties and salvage belongings during an organized site visit on Tuesday, October 30, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The mandatory evacuation order for this area will remain in effect during the visit. Those attending the site visit will have to leave the area following the visit.
from rotw

Image Credit: ROTW Photo Gallery (“grass and slide fire home survey”)

Morning Update For October 30, 2007 - This excerpted round-up from Rim Of The World (.net) -

Grass Valley Fire 100 Percent Contained, Slide Fire 92 Percent
By News Staff - Monday, October 29, 2007

Full containment of the fire perimeter was reached on the 1,247-acre Grass Valley Fire. However, interior hot spots remain. Fire crews will continue to mop-up hot spots around structures and within the interior of the fire line. Difficult terrain on the west side of the fire break is slowing mop-up progress. Incident personnel are continuing to work with cooperating agencies and utility companies to facilitate re-entry into the mandatory evacuation area. Three hundred thirty-six personnel remain assigned to the fire.

The Slide Fire is 92% contained as of 8:00 pm Sunday and remains at 12,789 acres. Firefighters continue making good progress mopping up hot spots within the perimeter of the Slide Fire. Higher humidities and lower temperatures are helping their efforts.

Structure protection, mop up and patrol continues in residential areas. As estimated 2,500 structures remain threatened and 1,688 personnel are assigned.

BAER teams and post-suppression rehabilitation teams are continuing their surveys of the burned areas. Emergency stabilization (BAER) teams are focused on protection of life and property and critical natural and heritage resource values from post fire watershed effects. BAER assessment and planning will likely last a few weeks and implementation of treatments will be done within one year.

Image Credit: ROTW Photo Gallery (“grass and slide fire home survey”) - San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

The areas that suffered extensive fire damage in the Grass Valley Fire will remain under a mandatory evacuation order with road closures along Brentwood Drive at four intersections and at San Benito Drive @ Pinehurst Drive. Residents and property owners of Grass Valley in the mandatory evacuation area will be given an opportunity to view their homes and properties and salvage any belongings during an organized visit on Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those interested in viewing their property must check in at Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. For details view the related press release at [http://www.sbcounty.gov// or call (909) 387-5412.

Mandatory evacuations remain in effect until further notice from Heaps Peak Transfer Station east to Big Bear dam (Running Springs, Arrowbear and Green Valley Lake communities).

A closure order remains in effect for the San Bernardino National Forest. Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area reopened on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, at 7:00 a.m. The Miller Canyon Day Use and Grove area will remain closed. Until further notice, the park will remain closed. For additional information, call: 760-389-2303

National Orange Show Fair Grounds in the City of San Bernardino (enter through Gate 9) is still open for evacuees. The Victorville Fair Grounds evacuation center was closed on Sunday.
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Transition is occurring today with the California Type-1 Incident Command Team 1 assuming command of the Grass Valley Fire at 6:00 am Tuesday, October 30, 2007.

Meanwhile on the Slide Fire, continuing mild weather conditions have contributed to significant progress on fire perimeter containment that is now 90% with no increase in acreage. Overnight crews worked on hot spots revealed from infrared flight information. Structure protection for the 2,500 homes still threatened and mop up continue in and around residential areas. Utility companies are getting services restored. Current management strategy is proving to be successful, with the fire having been contained within objective lines.
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Breezy weather will return on Tuesday and Wednesday as cooler weather settles in. However, this cooler weather may be short-lived as forecasters are hinting at a possible weak to moderate Santa Ana wind event beginning Friday.
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BAER rehabilitation teams and post-suppression activities are making plans for work to be done after fire containment lines make the burn areas safe to reenter on federal lands.

The mandatory evacuation order for the communities of Twin Peaks, Rim Forest, Blue Jay, Agua Fria, Deer Lodge Park, Sky Forest, Cedar Glen and the majority of Lake Arrowhead has been reduced to a voluntary evacuation. The area opened Sunday at noon to residents and re-entry passes were not required.

In addition to the areas under mandatory evacuation for the Grass Valley Fire, mandatory evacuations remain in effect until further notice from Heaps Peak Transfer Station east to Big Bear dam, including the communities of Running Springs, Arrowbear and Green Valley Lake.

A closure order remains in effect for the San Bernardino National Forest. Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area reopened on Sunday, October 28, 2007, at 7:00 a.m. The Miller Canyon Day Use and Grove area will remain closed. Until further notice, the park will remain closed.

The Grass Valley Fire is being managed under Unified Command with the US Forest Service and the San Bernardino County Fire and Sheriff departments. The Slide Fire is being managed under Unified Command with the US Forest Service, the San Bernardino County Fire and Sheriff's departments, CAL FIRE, and Running Springs FD. Other cooperators and partners include CA CHP, CalTrans, CA-OES, and Crest Forest FPD.
Reference Here>>

And this clarification issued by ROTW -

Full Return Times

At 6:00 am on Wednesday, October 31, the Grass Valley community area will be under a voluntary evacuation order and all residents will be allowed to return home without restrictions.

At 6:00 am Thursday, November 1, the Running Springs area and Arrowbear will be under a voluntary evacuation order and all residents will be allowed to return home without restrictions.

No return date is set for Green Valley Lake. Highway 330 remains closed, residents should use Highway 18.












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Grass Valley And Slide Fire Daily Posting Links:

SEVEN SOUTHLAND COUNTIES UNDER WILDFIRE SIEGE – DAY 1
(updates for 10-22-2007)

WILDLAND FIRE WINDS WHIP LAKE ARROWHEAD - DAY 2
(updates for 10-23-2007)

WILDLAND FIRES RAGE IN RUNNING SPRINGS - DAY 3
(updates for 10-24-2007)

WILDLAND FIRES CONTINUE IN SAN BERNARDINO – DAY 4
(updates for 10-25-2007)

WILDLAND FIRES IN SAN BERNARDINO Turn A Corner – DAY 5
(updates for 10-26-2007)

WILDLAND FIRES IN RUNNING SPRINGS SMOLDER - DAY 6
(updates for 10-27-2007)

RUNNING SPRINGS SMOLDERS DAMAGE ASSESSED - DAY 7
(updates for 10-28-2007)

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