T-Boomers Wednesday - Butler II Fire

USDA Forestry Department MODIS Active Fire Map showing the Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 area of containment and most active fire environments within the area of containment. Issued September 18, 2007 - Image Credit: USDA via Jerry B - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

T-Boomers Wednesday - Butler II Fire

Morning headlines for Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - Day Six - Butler Peak Fire Incident #2:

CONTAINMENT HAS MOVED FROM 53% TUESDAY MORNING TO 86% TUESDAY NIGHT

NO STRUCTURES LOST - FIRE PERIMETER HELD

POTENTIAL WET WEATHER ON THE WAY, 50% CHANCE OF RAIN (AND EVEN SNOW ABOVE 6,000 FEET) BY FRIDAY

Yesterday was a good day indeed. The 2,000 + crew of fire fighters were proving to be the difference Tuesday ... where the fire tried to threaten structures in the Pine Oak area of government land lease cabins on steep terrain near the dam and the village of Fawnskin.

Yesterday's Score?:

FIRE - 0

CDF & USDA Hotshots - 2

The change in the weather may actually be a double edged sword. On one hand, the weather is cooler and may contain moisture to put the fire down ... on the other hand, winds, thunderboomers & lightning have the possibility of creating more mountain fires - this is exactly how the Butler Peak Fire (incident #1) got started.

Image Credit: San Bernardino National Forest - USDA FOREST SERVICE

Today, with success on the firelines, may be the last of this series of Big Bear Lake area fire activity updates and posts.

Excerpts From SoCalMountains Chat/Forums –

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 06:23:02
We will have strong winds before any rain or snow late tonight so I hope that doesn't fan this fire. It's one of my main concerns in question right now

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 06:27:09
They are predicting winds sw @15-20mph today. Hope their wrong.

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 06:36:48
They will be more like Southwest 40-50mph tonight
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Morning update from KBHR 93.3FM -

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2

Update as of 6:30am Wednesday, September 19:

The fire is 86% contained at 14,039 acres. Fawnskin is still under a mandatory evacuation order. Today 2,346 fire personnel are assigned to the Butler #2 Fire.
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Excerpts From SoCalMountains Chat/Forums –

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 08:09:39
per scanner ( helos are lifting off from the big bear airport heading over this way

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 08:14:05
just checking in to catch updates, things look really great right now fire is laying down, The winds can change everything in a few minutes, stay alert and aware and keep your fingers crossed.good luck wont be able to check in most of the day but wont be far from my thoughts

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 08:22:17
i ususally monitar the air attack only,, others will post in about whats happening on the ground , rotw usually has whats going on thru alerts and someone willl post what they read back on here

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 08:24:31
theres a little still in front of butlers and some to the left behind but nothing like yesterday. i think they are contol buning at this point

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 08:25:15
im back , the fire has really layed down last nite, greys peak you can see where its been burned but hardly any smoke is showing good news on that then,

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 08:27:09
per scanner ( talk is getting assignments of where people are working today nothing major happening yet ,
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Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 08:40:35
huge "muther" storm cloud
coming over the mtn, heard on the radio Banning is
getting light rain this morning already, here in Snowcreek, strong wind gusts to 20mph..

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 08:56:54
Snowcreek Village sits at the base of the San Jacinto Mtns, where the verbenia and Snow fire was....So side of banning pass area. Cloud is as big as the plume from your fire seen in photos, its moving north...
I put additioanl in fo oon the LOBBY CHAT

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 08:58:25
thx snowcreek! we're look forward to a nice stormie knocking this fire down!!
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Photo from a live streaming camera located at Snow Summit Ski Area. Photo taken at 10:30 AM PST and shows a lot less smoke from previous days images from the same camera. If one looks closly, the view of the northern mountains shows the red striping of fire retardant drops from fixed wing support aircraft. Image Credit: Big Bear Mountain Resorts - "Westridge" Camera

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 10:47:39
per scanner (we just had a rekindle at the top

workng on getting bilbets and bladder bags up to you , they have nothing in supply working on it - (discussion of a smoke that if it drops down ) if it drops down there in there yes sir" it sure could , dont think it will make it all the way to camp , " no the first one, but that second one
out there

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 11:09:51
per scanner div a ( by the dam) doesnt need any more support - fog has rolled into running springs per scanner

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 11:23:19
per scaner have a saftly issue near the roadway of hwy 18 , its a large tree about 40 foot its burning , it will be coming down

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 11:23:22
ROTW: have a safety issue; one tree is burning, about a 20' tree; it's going to come down into the roadway; we have a dozer ready, waiting to move it when it comes down

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 11:23:32
i think they are letting it burn off the dead trees at this point

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 11:25:26
I think we all know these guys are getting a very good handle on this, they may have some trouble spots but things are looking good.

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 11:26:15
xx me too, but i havent heard it was on the other side yet, of hwy 18,, i cant confirm that yet,, pm craig or ben mabe they know but i did hear about a few spot fires yesterday morning but aa pounced on them super hard, but as to active fire there now idont know

The view of Grey’s Peak (Butler II Fire) with the Solar Observatory standing guard in the foreground. Photo taken from Stanfield Cutoff as of 8am Tuesday morning (9/18/2007). Prevailing winds in this photo are to the northwest. Image Credit: KBHR 93.3FM
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Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 12:30:33
Noon KBHR - The wind factor does remain an issue today, as there is a High Wind Advisory for the San Bernardino Mountains through 11am Friday. The National Weather Service reports that the High Wind Advisory could mean gusts as high as 35 miles per hour in our area. At present, local humidity is at 15%, and winds at the KBHR studios in Big Bear City have already been as high as 20 miles an hour in the last hour.

John Miller of the U.S. Forest Service tells us that the mandatory evacuation order for Fawnskin will absolutely not be lifted today. We are in close contact with Incident Command and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, and will be sure to let evacuees know as soon as a return to the North Shore is announced.

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 13:28:48
ROTW: Spot weather forecast from Holcomb Creek area, elevation 7224, south aspect; dry; 64 degrees; 4% relative humidity; winds 3 mph out of the SSW; gusts to 10 mph; clear skies

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 13:40:33
per scanner ( another weather report - 9% rh
winds 16-18 mph gusting to 28 up here , on the knob

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 13:43:00
scanner talk is about getting out the smokes same as befor nothing has really changed
shipping in crew supplies that they need say up on the ridges or with the engines, nothing major

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 13:45:49
north shore is looking good i dont see any smoke coming up fawnskin area - only trouble spot is stilll greys peak now and then it puts up alittle black smoke nothing major and skies are clear all the way thru from one end to the other end from what i can see at the lake

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 13:56:11
per scanner ( the fire has rekindled in big pines flat, right on the edge of the line at leas a mile ne of the station - ( big pines flat area) no one in that area - well try to take care of it - if you cant get anyone down in there - winds are getting to it and its getting into the brush alittle bit - it appears to be with in the burn about 20-30 feet of the dozer line

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 13:59:07
per scanner winds are picking up alittle bit here where del rosa hot shots are working at

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 14:02:19
per scanner ( big pines flat winds sw at 25 at the ridge
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This wind report has the potential of not being very good. The last three days, the prevailing winds have been to the northeast at around 10 mph or less ... 25 mph in the opposite direction has the potential of changing the whole complection of this fire. We will keep an eye on it.

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Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 14:10:44
Wind from Snow Summit - Average windspeed (ten minute) 4.5 mph Wind Direction (ten minute) SSW (204º)

Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 14:20:57
per scanner ( aa or helos ( tahoe hot shots are in div W working with H720 and H534
engin 54 is working with 767 with the los pardres hotshots and kern valley hotshots , in div Z div A has h 707 woriking with groveland hotshots , div b has santa barbara hotshots working with 4 channel tac is in div W

Afternoon update from KBHR 93.3FM -

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2

Update/recap as of 3pm Wednesday, September 19:

Great progress has been made on the Butler #2 Fire and, though there are still areas burning, containment is at 86% as of last night, and total burned acreage has been held to 14,039 acres.

The voluntary evacuations for Lucerne Valley, Green Valley, Running Springs and Arrowbear were lifted as of last night. The mandatory evacuation for residents of Fawnskin does remain in place at this time.

As of this morning, there are over 2,300 personnel on scene, and those firefighting forces include 70 hand crews, 164 fire engines, 8 dozers, 28 water tenders, and 17 helicopters.

Lee Bentley of the U.S. Forest Service, stationed at Incident Command in Snow Valley, tells KBHR that those numbers will probably change later today, as fire status may allow for demobilization of some fire personnel. “This thing is looking real good,” Bentley notes, “as long as the winds stay the same.”

The wind factor does remain an issue today, as there is a High Wind Advisory for the San Bernardino Mountains through 11am Friday. The National Weather Service reports that the High Wind Advisory could mean gusts as high as 35 miles per hour in our area. At present, local humidity is at 11%, and winds at the KBHR studios in Big Bear City have already been as high as 20 miles an hour.

Due to these factors, and the fact that there are still areas that are burning on the Butler #2 Fire, which brings with it a possibility of blowing embers, there is no return date for Fawnskin residents at this time. John Miller of the U.S. Forest Service tells us that the mandatory evacuation order for Fawnskin will absolutely not be lifted today.

We have been in Fawnskin this afternoon, and the good news is that all homes remain intact. There are engine crews staged throughout neighborhoods, should conditions change. Though there is not much in the way of visible burn scarring from downtown Fawnskin, there are surrounding areas as close as a ¼ mile away that continue to smolder and burn.

Spot fires continue to burn on Arctic Circle. When we were on scene in the last hour, we did see flames just off the roadway. Helicopter water drops continue in the area, and hand crews are hard at work in the steep terrain off Highway 18.

The Arctic Circle is lined with fire engines. CalTrans trucks are also there, clearing the rocks, debris, and burned vegetation that has rolled down the slope and onto 18. For this reason, and ongoing concerns for public safety, there is no estimated reopen date for Highway 18 from Running Springs to the Big Bear Dam.
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Wednesday 19 September 2007 - 19:10:35
93% Containment!! Yahoo!!!!
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Mandatory evacuation for Fawnskin residents lifted as of 6pm Wednesday!

Only residents will be allowed into Fawnskin at this time, so be prepared to show proof of residence.

** Last Posting Of This "Thunderboomer" Series Unless Things Go Dredfully Wrong **

Update from KBHR 93.3FM as of 9am Thursday, September 20:

As of yesterday evening, Incident Command reports 93% containment on the Butler #2 Fire, which has been held to 14,039 acres. The cause of the fire, which was spotted by the Butler Peak Lookout Tower on Friday afternoon, is still under investigation.

John Miller of the U.S. Forest Service tells us that the remaining 7% which isn't yet considered fully contained includes the Arctic Circle portion of Highway 18, in the vicinity of Butler Peak, and the north end of the fire toward Lucerne Valley, where there is extremely rocky and steep terrain.

Engine crews will remain on Arctic Circle, watching for spot fires and extinguishing any roll-out, which includes burning debris that comes down the slope. As Miller noted this morning, “Highway 18 is going to continue to be a real concern for us.”

That said, Highway 18, from the Big Bear Dam to Running Springs, will remain closed to traffic as it is still an unsafe zone. Engines, hand crews and CalTrans trucks will continue to be in that area today.

Fawnskin residents were allowed to return home last night, as the mandatory evacuation was lifted at 6pm yesterday. Postmaster Cynthia Crane tells KBHR that the Fawnskin Post Office will be open today. Highway 38 along the North Shore, from the Discovery Center to the Big Bear Dam, will be open to Fawnskin residents only, so be prepared to show identification with proof of physical address. Utility bills will be accepted as proof at the California Highway Patrol stop points. Highway 38 along the North Shore will open to everyone else after 6pm this evening.

The U.S. Forest Service reports two injuries to firefighting personnel yesterday—one dislocated shoulder, and a dislocated knee.

The following areas remain closed at this time: Camp Whittle, Big Pine Flat, Ironwood, Hanna Flat Campground, yellow post campsites, and the Butler Peak Lookout. The following forest roads also remain closed: 2N13, both ends of 3N14, 4N16, 3N16 at Crab Flats, and Grays Peak Trailhead.

But, the good news is that containment is at 93%, the Butler #2 Fire has been held to 14,039 acres, and Fawnskin residents are allowed to return home.

Update as of 9am Friday, September 21:

The great news from Incident Command on the Butler #2 Fire is that containment is officially at 100%, and total burned acreage was held to 14,039 acres.

Today's mop up and rehabilitation efforts are being overseen by the California Interagency ICM Team 4 and, as of this morning, 1,466 personnel remain on scene. Though, according to Pete Jankowski at Incident Command, they will continue demobilization of many crews today, with an expected 500 or so firefighting personnel on scene by this evening.













Butler Peak Fire Links (all postings):

Butler Peak Fire Incident #1 (Labor Day Weekend 9-2-07) & #2 – Saturday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Sunday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Monday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Tuesday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Wednesday (final)

Thunderboomers Tuesday – Butler II Fire

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 (Butler II) as seen in this compilation graphic where a topographic map is overlaid with an infrared imaging shot of the firelines as they were at 14:00 hours on Monday (9-17-2007). Image Credit: Jerry B - SoCalMountains

Thunderboomers Tuesday – Butler II Fire

Yesterday was a good day. The winds did not wreak havoc with the state of the current firelines, the firefighters around Fawnskin were able to beat back the fire from within 1/2 mile of the cabin structures to 21/2 miles back while creating defensible space around cabins … an arson suspect was taken into custody … a forestry service spotterplane working the firelines had engine trouble and was able to make an emergency ditch landing in a open field behind the motorcycle manufacturing facility owned by Big Bear Choppers and the pilot survived a little shaken ... Green Valley Lake seems to be out of trouble and the residents might be able to return today.

Red and white USFS spotter plane reported engine failure over the lake, 'put it down' in the field; pilot is out of the plane at this time and is in good shape - Image Credit: SKYPROS - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

Judging from the morning reports, BBL and the firefighters may be in for another good day here on day five.

This morning update from KBHR 93.3FM begins well -

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2
Update as of 6am Tuesday, September 18:

The Butler Fire #2 is 14,039 acres and 53% contained. 2,505 personnel are assigned to the fire. The projected movement of the fire is Northeast with extreme growth potential. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for the community of Fawnskin. The evacuation center has been moved from Big Bear High School to the Pine Summit Christian Camp at 700 Wren Drive in Big Bear Lake. There WILL be school today in the Bear Valley Unified School District. SR-18 is closed from Running Springs east to the Big Bear Dam and Little Arctic Circle at the West end of Big Bear Lake.
Reference Here>>

CDF Hotshots hitting the ground, watering. Image Credit: SUPERFIRE84 - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

Morning Update from the California Department of Forestry (CDF):

Butler #2 Fire:
Name: Butler #2 Fire
County: San Bernandino County
Administrative Unit: San Bernandino National Forest
Status/Notes: 53% contained - 14,039 acres - North of Big Bear
Date Started: September 14, 2007 1:51 pm
Last update: September 18, 2007 7:30 am
Reference Here>>

USDA Forestry truck hitting the flames with a “side shooter”. Image Credit: SUPERFIRE84 - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

Excerpts From SoCalMountains Chat/Forums –

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 08:39:08
Good Morning everyone. Fawnskin is still standing, but it is a little smokey. I hear from my FF buddies that the evac order maybe lifted by tomorrow depending on how the work goes today. For everyone that has a cabin or home in the Fawnskin area, I have driven the area and everybody is fine.

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 08:42:27
morning everyone , strong haze this end of the valley and probley all thru the valley super strong smoke smell - per scanner talk about placing people here and there and whats going where

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 08:51:16
aa per scanner no visability below 3.ooo feet due to cloud cover,

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 08:56:47
xxx - yes, the folks here in the desert were talking about a fire in Twin Peaks. The ROTW scanner talk is about a fire in Crestline and one in Lake Gregory. Both pretty much under control.

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 09:23:40
aa per ops ( dc10 not coming in, we see no need for it ,

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 09:24:36
aa per scanner , (we can get another heavie in here by the dam to reinforce that , if we cant get the heavie a medium will work just as good - sounds good

CDF Hotshots lighting backfires. Image Credit: SUPERFIRE84 - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 09:27:33
have you heard any info on if its taking up any more acreage in the green valley lake area?

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 09:28:16
fire is looking good from my vantage point , no plum hardly at all compared to yesterday - we have some green heavy torching on the south west corner [GVL] , per scanner

California Department of Forestry Hotshots doing what they do best. Image Credit: SUPERFIRE84 - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 10:14:05
per scanner everyone is talk about single smokes minor flare ups in the retardant area of the fire , nothing major happening fire is looking super good ,

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 11:09:53
fire has crested the lake side of north shore aa is hitting this hot and heavy just came from out side we are watching the helos come in hot and heavy very noisy over here, the fire is about 1/4 of the way down , putting up lots of whte smoke, ffs are working heavy and doing the best they can its still a ways away from homes

Fire creeps down upon Artic Circle Monday (9-17-07). This activity will last long after the fire is out in that rocks, boulders, and loose trees will find their way to the highway below ... and traffic. Image Credit: Blakey - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 11:11:23
dc 10 made 3 drops where the fire has crested this is looks to be greys peak from my area

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 11:14:24
Hi everyone! Update from weather: Heavy wiinds tom. with heavy precip. expected Fri and Sat. Hopefully everything will hold and the ff's can get a good grip on this monster before the winds! The map was really good! Thanks!

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 11:15:37
is the containment still at 53%?

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 11:18:15
aa is still hitting this area hot and heavy,, the fire is still putting up lots of heavy white smoke with occasionally black mixed in, not moving fast repeat not moving fast,

aa per scanner ( will keep putting water on this side
north shore greys peak - to keep it from rolling ..

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 11:26:11
Weather - Really is no front with this system so it's basing on orographical
lift aka the mountains lifting up the low level air up the slopes for rain into the cold, -22 celcius air at 18,000 Feet for storms Friday. Showery type, off and on / hit and miss type.

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 11:40:48
ok just came from walkng down to the lake, the 2 (( yellow bananas)) are working this fire droping water on this fire on greys peak, white smoke showing they are doing back to back drops to slow things down

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 12:01:55
I was just out near Pineknot and I gotta say that the fire area looks way, WAY better!!!

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 12:07:42
guess that is grey's peak in cam, all this time I thought it was on lagonita point. glad I only put my foot 1/2 way in my mouth, sorry p.s. when this fire is over i want start a real fight, windy point is where the camara is (gilner point) always was untill in the 60's a map showed the name to far out in the lake, place they call windy point is actualy shelter cover (the place they filled in to build the houses, next to roy rogers house) ask any fisherman, guess i started the fight already

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 12:13:00
Ch 7 is saying Snow at 7000 on Thur and down to 6000 on Fri it is at 50% chance this would be great so be shure to prep your homes for the cold.
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Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 12:27:29
one of the guys in a plane has a infrared camera that pickes up the hot spots on the mountain and this is where the helos are dropping at with his guilding them in to the target spots

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 12:34:51
ROTW 12:32: {ROTW developing story} Tankers are currently on hold at the air bases. "This looks like a helicopter show right now," said Air Command. "Just call us if you need [the tankers]."

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 12:35:31
aa per scanner fire is really looking good - we have 2 scouts out looking for any hot spots, and little bity spots showing up but nothing major ,

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 12:39:50
both one man in the plane has a camera for hot spots once he pin points it then he can relate to the other aa where to drop especially thru the smoke

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 12:40:16
sorry not lazer i just relized what i had said verbal only

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 12:42:23
aa is still talking to the helos about where to drop , some times the talk is alittle left and there you go , or you missed and lets try this again and then its roger this or copy that

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 13:02:34
fawnskin is looking good , i dont see any real smokes in that are at all

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 13:10:43
what is going on from the dam to windy point on the north shore?

Tuesday 18 September 2007 - 13:16:23
I was down at Boulder Bay earlier. There is a good view from the park as well as along the Boulevard at the drive-in (Spencer Real Estate).

They have painted a significant retardant line above the cabins on the north shore.

I am extremely impressed with the progress that they have made!!

Noon Update From KBHR 93.3FM –

Update as of noon on Tuesday, September 18:

The Butler #2 Fire remains the number one priority wildland fire incident in the nation again today, which is why we have national Incident Management Team I overseeing fire suppression. As first priority, we have tremendous air support on scene.

Type I crews have also continued to join fire suppression efforts—these Type I teams have been working all summer, battling blazes in Montana and Idaho, and are now stationed here.
As of this morning, Incident Command reports 53% containment on the fire, which is a significant increase from yesterday's 12%. Though acreage was estimated at 15,433 yesterday, updated reports tell us that 14,039 total acres have burned.

Monday evening, some spot fires burned on the east side of the peak just off Highway 38 near Fawnskin, which accounts for the smoky area in the foreground when looking toward Windy Point. According to ICM Team I's Information Officer Pete Jankowski, who is the Fire Chief for the City of Laverne, crews established containment lines around those spot fires last night.
At this time, he tells KBHR, the burn area is now ¼ mile from the community of Fawnskin though, again, those containment lines were successfully established last night. Firefighters are aggressively maintaining structure protection, and crews are stationed along Highway 38 (on the North Shore) and Highway 18 in the Arctic Circle area.

Today, 64 of the 68 hand crews on scene are Type I crews. These highly qualified teams, some of which are Hot Shot crews, can attack the fire directly and are able to get into the rugged terrain that has proved daunting for fire suppression. If needed, these Type I crews can engage in coyote tactics, meaning they can work a 16-hour shift and stay at the scene, as air supply can deliver water, food and sleeping bags to them, and they are prepared to stay on scene for 24 hours. At this time, coyote tactics have not yet been implemented for these teams of 20 and, on strike teams, groups of 40.

Type II hand crews are equally important in the effort, as they are providing residential support in Fawnskin, creating defensible space, and are involved in hand-line construction. Smaller engines and hand crews are at work in the direct attack in the area of Highway 38 and Fawnskin.

Fire officials report that there is incoming low pressure, weather-wise, and they do expect winds tomorrow, so aggressive containment with the 2,505 firefighting personnel at work on the Butler #2 Fire continues.

There has been no loss of homes in the Fawnskin area. Highway 18 remains closed, from the Big Bear Dam to Running Springs.

Road update: The Little Arctic Circle portion of Highway 18, from Talbot (in Boulder Bay) to the Big Bear Dam, has reopened this morning. Highway 18, from the Big Bear Dam to Running Springs, remains closed to all traffic. No word yet when the roadway will reopen. To clarify for those of you coming up the mountain, the portion of Highway 38 from Mentone to Big Bear City remains unaffected by the fire, and is safe for travel. Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley is also open to traffic.

Retardant Stripes - This shot is for the folks on here who have expressed concern for their cabins in the Pine Oak area by the dam. Photo was taken today, 9/18, about 1:00 p.m. - photo shows the rather impressive retardant line to the west and the north of the cabins in this area. Image Credit: Maggie - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

At MAXINE, we have been in and out all day but keeping tabs on the developments ... the main impression is that the fire crews are having great success in all areas save for Grey's Peak where the fire continues to be very stubborn.

Evening Update From KBHR 93.3FM –

Update/recap as of 5pm Tuesday, September 18:
Over 2,500 fire personnel have been hard at work today, protecting homes, dumping water and retardant on hot spots, and enforcing containment lines around the Butler #2 Fire. Containment remains at 53% and total acreage burned is still at 14,039 on the fire, which remains the number one priority wildland fire incident in the nation.

When we flew over the fire zone this afternoon, we did notice a hot spot on the ridge between Windy Point and the Big Bear Dam, and aggressive air drops of water and fire retardant have been underway, with as many as 23 helicopters at work at fire suppression today. Much of the fire to the north has been smoldering, and the portion off Highway 18 at Arctic Circle is being suppressed at the roadway, given the steep terrain. Highway 18, by the way, will remain closed from the Big Bear Dam to Running Springs until further notice.

Yesterday evening, some spot fires burned on the east side of the peak just off Highway 38 near Fawnskin though ICM Team I's Information Officer Pete Jankowski assures us that containment lines were successfully established last night.

We just spoke with John Miller of the U.S. Forest Service, who has been at Station 49 in Fawnskin this afternoon. He says, “It was a really good day for us.

There was no big swing in the weather, which allowed crews to do what they need to do.” He assures us that firefighting personnel that aren't directly attacking the blaze are busy doing preventative work around homes and in neighborhoods from the Big Bear Dam to the Discovery Center. All homes in the Fawnskin area remain safe and intact. Handcrews are among those creating defensible space by raking pine needles, removing flammable material near homes, and doing some brush work. Miller adds that they are going to continue to do this--especially in anticipation of winds tomorrow, crews are doing all the fire preventative work they can do today.

Before signing off, Miller did want to add the following: “On behalf of all firefighters, we are very appreciative of the outpouring of support from the residents of Big Bear Valley. We even talked about it in our briefing this morning, and we are just beside ourselves with the generosity from the community.”

Update as of 7pm Tuesday, September 18:
The report as of this evening is 86% containment, per the Incident Management Team's Pete Jankowski. He also tells KBHR that great progress was made in the Fawnskin and Arctic Circle areas. Other good news from the fire scene is that the voluntary evacuation for Green Valley Lake residents has been lifted this evening.
Reference Here>>

Final Report From INCIWEB for Tuesday -

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 (Butler II Fire)

Current Situation:
As Of 18:00 PST 9-18-2007

Total Personnel - 2,346

Size - 14,039 acres

Percent Contained - 86%

Fuels Involved - Grass, Brush, and Timber.

Fire Behavior:
Minimum fire activity, no fire spread today. A lot of rolling material onto Hwy 18.
Significant Events

Significant progress made with line construction today. Evacution for Green Valley, Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, Lucerne Valley lifted today at 18:00
Outlook

Planned Actions:
Continue line construction, hold existing line, provide structure protection where needed.

Projected Movement:
Northeast

Growth Potential:
Extreme

Terrain Difficulty:
High

Remarks -

Highway closures:
Hwy 18 remains closed from Running Springs to Big Bear Dam. Drivers may not access Big Bear from Hwy 18 or from Hwy 330 in San Bernardino, but Hwy 18 is open from Apple Valley (the high desert). Drivers may also access Big Bear via Hwy 38 from I-10 in Redlands.

Areas Closed:
Camp Whittle Boy Scout Camp, Big Pine Flat, Ironwood, Hanna Flat, Yellow Post campsites in the area, and Butler Peak Lookout.

Forest Road Closures:
2N13, both ends of 3N14, 4N16, 3N16 at Crab Flats, Grays Peak Trailhead.

Resources on Scene:
69 hand crews, 164 engines, 17 helicopters, 12 fixed wing aircraft,8 dozers, and 28 watertenders.

Mandatory Community Evacuations remain in effect for the Fawnskin area from the Big Bear Dam to The Discovery Center north of Hwy 38. The evacuatiion center has been moved to Pine Summit Christian Camp at 700 Wren Drive in Big Bear Lake.

Voluntary Evacuations lifted for Green Valley Lake, Lucerne Valley, Running Springs and Arrowbear.

Weather:
Current Wind Conditions - 1 - 11 mph NW
Current Temperature - 73 degrees
Current Humidity - 20 %

This is very good news indeed - the fire fighters moved the containment from 53% to 86% today and no structures lost. With the weather growing cooler over the next few days with a 50% chance of rain (and maybe even snow above 6,000 feet) this fire may be in control.

POSTINGS FOR BUTLER II FIRE DAY SIX, WEDNESDAY 9/19/07 HERE>>













Butler Peak Fire Links (all postings):

Butler Peak Fire Incident #1 (Labor Day Weekend 9-2-07) & #2 – Saturday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Sunday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Monday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Tuesday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Wednesday (final)

Thunderboomers Monday - Butler Peak Fire Incident #2

Butler Peak Fire 2 PROGRESS MAP (posted by Blakey - 9-16-07 11PM – socalmountains - forums) NOTE: the orange is the OFFICIAL FIRE PERIMITER based on the map used at meetings last night. the red is the area highlighted by the officials as the latest progress not yet incorporated into the maps that had been previously displayed. To lend a perspective of distance to the viewing of this map ... Big Bear Lake is seven miles long and one mile wide at its widest point. Image Credit: Forums Administrator – Blakey

UPDATES ON BUTLER II FIRE FOR TUESDAY 9-18-2007 HERE>>

Thunderboomers Monday - Butler Peak Fire Incident #2

Overall, yesterday saw weather that was better than expected. With the addition of about 500 to 600 more firefighters on the lines, increased tanker and helicopter fire dropping activity, the threat to structures was abated around the village of Fawnskin – but, of course, today is another day.

Hotspots remain, and the fear is, that even though Big Bear Lake and Green Valley Lake may be out of danger at the moment … Lucerne Valley lays directly in the path of the prevailing winds.

Today’s weather expects to see an increase in the winds that were surprisingly mild on Sunday.

Fire fighting outfitted DC10 #910 heads skyward after a last minute sunset retardant drop over Fawnskin. This photo was taken from Division Road near the end of the runway at the Big Bear Lake Airport. Image Credit: mountainmanor - socalmountains - forums

This excerpted from the San Bernardino County SUN -

Winds help stifle fire
Growth slows, danger persists
Joe Nelson, Jason Pesick and Melissa Pinion-Whitt, SB SUN Staff Writers - Article Launched: 09/16/2007 11:32:05 PM PDT

Calm morning winds lured the 15,000-acre Butler II wildfire away from Green Valley Lake and toward Lucerne Valley on Sunday while more than 2,000 firefighters continued to battle the blaze.

The 15 to 20 mph winds that caused the blaze to explode Saturday from 400 acres in the morning to nearly 14,000 by evening, slowed to 7 mph early Sunday, helping firefighters get a 12 percent containment on the blaze.

The fire was estimated at 15,433 acres Sunday evening, growing about two miles on the eastern flank from where it was Saturday.

There were 2,245 people fighting the blaze Sunday.

Firefighters allowed Green Valley Lake residents to return to their homes after lifting a mandatory evacuation for the area.

Mandatory evacuations remained in effect for Fawnskin, where 600 structures were threatened, although the blaze had stopped heading for the area Sunday.

Lucerne Valley was under voluntary evacuation from Crystal Creek Road on the east to High Road on the west and north to the Pitzer Buttes area.

Although the fire's spread slowed in the morning, firefighters still worried that the dry conditions and gusty winds could change the fire's behavior.

Cindy Bean, incident meteorologist, said overnight winds Sunday will be a big factor.

"It's going to be dry, and the winds are going to be picking up," Bean said Sunday evening. "Keep in mind, it's still very, very dry out there.

Gusts up to 35 mph were expected on ridgetops Sunday night.

"If we get strong gusts, that could take the fire in a different direction," said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Jocelyn Holt.

U.S. Forest Service firefighters try to put out a spot fire while fighting the Butler II wildfire near Fawnskin on Sunday. Image Credit: Brett Snow/SB SUN Staff Photographer

Fire personnel were starting to see spots in the desert northeast of the fire and fearing that winds from the west could push the blaze farther east toward Holcomb Valley and Lucerne Valley - areas full of heavy timber.
Dan Felix, a fire-behavior analyst, said that although there's less fuel for the fire in the desert, there's still concerns that the fire will head out there.
----
Dozens of firefighters stood by homes along Rim of the World Drive in Fawnskin, providing structure protection.

Firefighters from around the Southland, including Downey, Santa Fe Springs as well as from Ventura and Orange county departments, scattered around the area, guarding homes.
----
By midafternoon, some of the fears concerning firefighters earlier in the day became real.

Gusty winds kept the fire burning strong near Fawnskin. The heavy smoke flames became dangerous enough on Gray's Peak that U.S. Forest Service hot shot crews were pulled out of the area.

Ten strike teams were ordered for the community, in addition to the four teams already in the area.

"With the history of fire in this area, you don't take any chances," San Bernardino County fire Capt. Mike Horton said.

Pilots in fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters dropped a ring of fire retardant around the community, in anticipation of a flare-up.
----
CDF Capt. Cheryl Goetz said the mission for her team of 19 firefighters from the Monterey San Benito unit was to see if properties across the Lucerne Valley had enough defensible space in case the fire burns through the area.
----
Residents also watched with concern as the flames crept over the mountain and continued heading north.

David Velazquez, 34, stood in his yard at the corner of Zircon and Crystal Creek roads in Lucerne Valley with his sons Joshua, 6, and David Jr., 17, raking manure while Joshua scooped it up.

A thick white band of smoke crowned the mountain ridge behind Velazquez.
----
Velazquez said authorities notified him by phone on Saturday night of the voluntary evacuation.

A sheriff's deputy went around his neighborhood as well knocking on doors, informing residents to be on alert.
----
Velazquez said he was very concerned about the fire burning down the north side of the mountain toward his home.

"Embers and ashes are falling, and it's very dry out here," he said, adding he was worried that the tar shingles on his roof might catch fire if stray embers land on it.

Velazquez said if the situation worsened, he would water down the roof and if evacuation was necessary, he would head to a relative's home in Ontario.
Reference Here>>

Fire progression map Friday through Sunday evening. Color Code: Yellow & Orange=Friday AM, PM Magenta=Saturday Royal Blue=Sunday – Image Credit: USDA Forestry Service via KBHR 93.3FM

Photo taken of the Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 from the Westridge (Snow Summit) cam at about 7:04 in the morning of 9-17-2007. Smoke covering the mountains along the north Big Bear Lake valley behind Fawnskin. Image Credit: Big Bear Mountian Resorts

Excerpts From SoCalMountains Chat/Forums –

Monday 17 September 2007 - 06:34:19
OK - AM visual. I see not plumes of smoke from my vantage point (but remember - I'm WAY OVER ON THE EAST END OF TOWN). I'm about as far away as you can get from the fire's location - so this is just a "visual from my location"

Monday 17 September 2007 - 06:41:59
I just saw a live report on Channel 7 from Lakeview. In the background - across the Artic Circle- you could see flames burning along Hwy 18

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:11:30
right across the lake in big bear lake, im across from greys peak - fawnskin is to my right from looking out side, yes smoke is building ,,

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:11:42
Last night the smoke was all around the valley. Heavy in some places. Light in others.

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:14:16
XXX went down the hill to apple valley about 5pm yesterday, he said the smoke was so thick around the m plant, couldn't breathe or see.
----
Butler #2 Fire CDF UPDATE:
Name: Butler #2 Fire
County: San Bernandino County
Administrative Unit: San Bernandino National Forest
Status/Notes: 12% contained - 15,433 acres - North of Big Bear
Date Started: September 14, 2007 1:51 pm
Last update: September 17, 2007 7:30 am
----
Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:30:32
Hey all, I have sure appreciated the info that you are putting out this morning. I live in Lucerne Valley in the voluntary evac area. We have fire spotting on the hill just north/west of the OMYA quarry. I work at the Mitsubishi plant and we still have quite a bit of smoke, but nothing like we had at home on Saturday. Our schools are all open this morning. My concern is where is the fire this morning and does it look like it will crest our mountains which are Sentinal at OMYA's quarry and White Mountain.

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:30:42
torw-(Ground unit) It's closing in on Gray's Peak, but probably still about 1/2 a mile away from the line; I can use some heavy helicopters or whatever you can get in here. That, and the part to the west is a priority

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:38:37
hope they can get serious air strike going while the GIANT is still slumbering!

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:38:39
per scanner fire looks to be still at the rim will need lots of buckets for this

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:50:12
My husband is driving down Hwy 38 and is at Camp Angeles. He just called to tell me that there is a fire due North of Camp Angeles. He is watching it now. It is definately a new fire according to his visual from Camp Angeles

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:50:38
per scanner - you saw it on top then, response ?yea it looks pretty easy, air to air is really bitchen right here now - helos are lifting off the big bear air port

IMPORTANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION, POSSIBLE ARSON SUSPECT

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:57:40
did they ever catch the guy in camo yesterday?

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:58:34
as far as i know yes , this man is toast

Monday 17 September 2007 - 07:59:56
what was the man in camos??

Monday 17 September 2007 - 08:02:35
XX, supposedly, he was starting fires??

Monday 17 September 2007 - 08:02:38
he was seen few days ago trying to start a fire down on hwy 138, but didn’t

Monday 17 September 2007 - 08:03:35
man in camos??? - camp angeles fire???

Monday 17 September 2007 - 08:04:05
XX ..... my hubby just double checked but the fires people are seeing from Angelus Oaks is the Butler fire above the arctic circle. I know it seems out of place but you can actually see it from this angle. No other fires working in our mountains other than the Butler fire!!

Monday 17 September 2007 - 08:06:53
would be fun being the deputies doing a jail transfer on that guy
----
Monday 17 September 2007 - 08:15:48
The retardant line is being laid down just north of the government leased cabins on the North Shore near the dam.

Monday 17 September 2007 - 08:43:08
im back from the dam, ( fiire has not crossed over the dam meaning to the other side, they do have the helos and air craft doing drops, a team of engins went towards the dam they may be staging there unknown,,

my end of the valley is getting heavy with smoke and sky is getting darker ,
the houses near the dam are fine,, i just came from there this fire is over the next ridge and helos are doing a great job geting work down it doesnt look any way as mean as it did yesterday,, except the valley is getting the heavy smoke,, lite winds coming up, over my way,, but as to the homes this side of the dam , they are fine,,
ffs have been putting retardant on that ridge that goes down into those homes , like i said doing great in that area

Excerpts from the morning update at KBHR 93.3FM –

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2

Monday, September 17: Fire officials have asked the California Highway Patrol to close an additional portion of Highway 18. Little Arctic Circle will now be closed from the Dam to just west of Boulder Bay, to alleviate congestion in the area, as 10 helicopters will be pulling water from the west end of Big Bear Lake. Highway 18 is now closed from Running Springs to just west of Boulder Bay. Residents of this portion of Big Bear will be allowed access to their homes.

In other community news (updated at 11am) : The Big Bear City Community Services District will not be holding their regularly scheduled meeting this evening.
----
The VCA Animal Hospital on the North Shore has asked that those who have pets there, please come pick up their animals this morning.

Rocky Obliger, Deputy Chief with the San Bernardino National Forest and, as of this morning, the Incident Commander on Butler #2 Fire, says that this fire, currently burning approximately 15,400 acres, is unrelated to the original Butler Fire, which was sparked by lightning 13 days earlier.

The Butler #2 Fire, which was reported from the Butler Peak Lookout Tower spared over Labor Day weekend, was named Butler #2 because of its location, as fires are named for their geographical identity.

Since the original Butler Fire, Obliger points out, we did have two inches of rain in the fire area. “Right now,” he says, “we don't have an estimated containment date.” As of this morning, containment is still at 12% percent, though weather conditions have been favorable, and 2,245 personnel are on scene today, battling Butler #2 Fire, which remains the number one wildland fire priority in the nation.

No homes in the Fawnskin area have been lost to the fire, and residences are being watched by deputies of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Captain Lee Watkins of the Big Bear Station reports, “I've brought in additional manpower to keep that area safe.

To date, there are unconfirmed reports that three sheds have burned at Camp Whittle. The Hanna Flat Campground was destroyed by fire on Saturday.

As there is no anticipated return date for residents of Fawnskin at this time, Postmaster Cynthia Crane of the Fawnskin Post Office tells KBHR that those who receive their mail from the Fawnskin Post Office will be able to pick up their mail at the Big Bear City Post Office (off Greenway Drive) from 1 to 3pm today, Monday.

Highway 18, down the front way remains closed to all traffic, from the Big Bear Dam to Running Springs, though residents of Green Valley Lake are being allowed access from Running Springs. At last night's Community Fire Information Meeting, Fire Information Officer Jim Wilkins said, “The fire has burned all the way down to the highway. There is no way to protect you from that stuff that's coming down.” That stuff is rocks, due to erosion, and debris from the fire. That said, CalTrans tells us that Highway 18, along Arctic Circle, will remain closed until at least Tuesday afternoon, though no reopen date has yet been scheduled.

Blog entry found on a link at the San Bernardino SUN -

Fire crews staging on Highway 18
September 17, 2007 11:08 AM

Crews are lining Highway 18 up to the Big Bear Dam to ensure the flames don't jump the road. The terrain west of the old Butler Fire burn area is too steep and rocky for crews to navigate.

"We're just letting it burn back down and patrolling from the road." said Mike La Nier, superintendent of the Groveland Hot Shots.

Tankers are dropping red fire retardant on brush bordering Highway 18 and some firefighters are concerned about the rocks and pine cones rolling down. East of the old Butler burn, give hot shot crews are cutting direct hand line around the fire.
--Stacia Glenn

Conservation Corps brings in recruits

The Inland Empire California Conservation Corps has brought in dozens of men and women ages 18 to 25 who are seeking careers in forestry or firefighting.
They deliver supplies, bag the trash, run errands, and fill up gas tanks.
“I’m learning more about my surroundings, about my environment,” said Trevelle Denn, 22, of San Bernardino. - The corps recruits sleep in tents on the hillside behind Snow Valley Ski Lift with fire personnel.
And what have they learned? - “Fighting fires is a lot of work and time,” said Jon Davis, 19, of Mareno Valley.
- Stacia Glenn

Spotter plane has engine failure and has to put down in field:

Red and white USFS spotter plane reported engine failure over the lake, 'put it down' in the field; pilot is out of the plane at this time - Image Credit: SKYPROS - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

Excerpts From SoCalMountains Chat/Forums –

Monday 17 September 2007 - 13:17:36
sorry it was one of the seats p3 plane that had engine failure landed in a field behind big bear choppers

Monday 17 September 2007 - 13:17:39
Plane crash at Fox Farm Rd. & Sandalwood Dr

Monday 17 September 2007 - 13:17:44
Crash was at Fox Farm and Sandelwood. Going to hold ALL aircraft at San Bernardino for now.

Monday 17 September 2007 - 13:19:19
Per Scanner: Pilot appears to be out and alive. Aircraft smoking. Sounds like it went into a field.

Monday 17 September 2007 - 13:19:29
Red and white USFS spotter plane reported engine failure over the lake, 'put it down' in the field; pilot is out of the plane at this time.

Monday 17 September 2007 - 13:20:37
Pilot is Ok, official report.

Monday 17 September 2007 - 13:25:26
Hard landing behind the hospital, right behind Interiors..

Monday 17 September 2007 - 13:25:51
P/Scanner - Pilot is ambulatory, plane is in 1 piece.

Image Credit: SKYPROS - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

Monday 17 September 2007 - 13:35:55
Folks, relax, the pilot of the Single Engine Aircraft if fine, he had a rough landing it sounds like behind Interiors, walked away more or less, the fire remains the focus which has NOT pushing into Fawnskin which remains the main concern now....

Photo shots from Green Valley Lake with the fire almost due east about two to three miles away. These shots were posted at 4:58 PM PST - Image Credit: DepotJim - SoCalMountains Chat/Forums

Monday 17 September 2007 - 16:11:09
Green Valley Lake update: We have 2 helicopters using the lake for refilling their buckets. They are in every 5 minutes or less. We can't actually see where they're dropping it due to the smoke coming off the East side of Crafts peak

Monday 17 September 2007 - 16:12:22
When I first went out there 25 minutes ago, it looked easily under control. Within 10 minutes it looked like they were dropping gas on it instead of water (I believe the wind picked up). I just left and it looks to have died down a little, but it is definitely moving East/NEast

Monday 17 September 2007 - 16:13:01
I could understand if they [GVL] wanted to evacuate because it sounds like WWII out here. In between the helicopters we have the big planes flying over

Hand crews have been creating defensible space around homes in Fawnskin today. Image Credit: KBHR 93.3FM

Excerpts from the evening update at KBHR 93.3FM –

Recap/update as of 5pm Monday, September 17: The Butler #2 Fire remains the number one wildland fire priority in the nation, though fire officials report good progress on the fire today.

The active fire is now 2 ½ miles west of Fawnskin, which is much improved from yesterday's report that the fire was just a half mile west of the community on the North Shore. Official statistics on the fire have not been updated in recent hours, though the fire has stayed within the perimeter established by fire personnel, 2,245 of which have been on scene today. Current statistics remain at 15,433 acres burned and 12% containment.

As of this morning, the nation's Incident Management Team 1 assumed leadership of the Butler #2 Fire, and fire crews from throughout the state of California are here in the Big Bear Valley.

Fire officials report that containment efforts to the north have been successful, and the west-bound perimeter of the fire has also seen considerable progress today. Word is that fire crews expect to have the upper hand in fire suppression efforts later today, or tomorrow.

John Miller of the U.S. Forest Service reports that the following fire suppression crews and equipment are on scene: 102 hand crews of 20 members each, 10 helicopters, 12 airtankers including the DC-10, 250 fire engines, 33 water tenders, and 12 dozers.

Little Arctic Circle was added to the Highway 18 closure (from Running Springs) to ensure public safety and relieve congestion at the west end of Big Bear Lake, where helicopters have been retrieving water for fire suppression. CalTrans tells us that there is no estimated reopen date for Highway 18 down the front way.

Fire crews have been creating defensible space around homes in Fawnskin, by clearing vegetation and removing duff.

Sheriff's Deputies are also in the neighborhood, to ensure the safety of residences. There are still no reports of structural loss, aside from an unconfirmed report that three sheds at Camp Whittle have burned.

There is no estimated return date for residents of Fawnskin, though mail pick-up for evacuees will be available at the Big Bear City Post Office each day, from 1 to 3pm.

Bear Valley Unified School District has announced that there will be school tomorrow, Tuesday.

Up date as Monday at 9:00pm; The Butler 2 fire is now 53% contained, 2505 personnel are assigned to fight the fire.

The updated acres burned to date have been reduced to 14,039. The Butler 2 fire continues to be the top fire incident in the nation thus garnering the necessary resources to battle the fire.

The south and southeast flank of the fire perimeter along highway 18 and 38 seem to be the most stubborn areas as they also contain some the most rugged terrain. Fire fighters from around the state are assisting in this fire fight.

Where threatened structures are located fie fighters are removing flammable vegetation, creating defensible space and then positioning them selves between the fire and exposed structures in order to provide a greater degree of protection against an advancing fire.
Reference Here>>

UPDATES ON BUTLER II FIRE FOR TUESDAY 9-18-2007 HERE>>

Butler Peak Fire Links (all postings):

Butler Peak Fire Incident #1 (Labor Day Weekend 9-2-07) & #2 – Saturday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Sunday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Monday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Tuesday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Wednesday (final)

Thunderboomers Redux - Butler Peak Fire Incident #2

Evening photos of the Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 from Stanfield Cut-Off. The fire rekindled and established itself with the help of gusting 25 mph winds on Friday, September 14, 2007. Image Credit: Blakey via SoCalMountains Forums

Thunderboomers Redux (Sunday Reports)- Butler Peak Fire Incident #2
MONDAY FIRE UPDATES HERE>>

This posting effort is a continuation of an original posting that began with the first Butler Peak Fire that started over the Labor Day holiday weekend entitled Thunderboomers, Lightning Strikes, Mountain Fires. Today, information of the events of the day will continue here, at MAXINE.

The fire rekindled and established itself with the help of gusting 25 mph winds on Friday, September 14, 2007. On Saturday, the fire split out on two fronts growing from 2,000 acres to almost 14,000 acres by nightfall.

Yesterday, those who were interested found it hard to get information about the fire from any of the local TV or Radio news outlets here in Los Angeles. The best way to get any up-to-the-minute information was by surfing the net and gleaning information from about 7 to 10 radio, forum and responder support websites.

The Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 grew so fast and produces so much smoke, plumes were carried and could be seen from the ground as far away as Las Vegas. From weather satellites, the drifting smoke effect was even more dramatic.

Still Image from satellite image loop at NOAA web site. Image Credit: http://sat.wrh.noaa.gov/satellite/loopsat.php?wfo=&area=sw&type=ir&size=4

The Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 begins its third day with morning temperatures in the high 40's expecting to reach the low to mid 70's by around 2:00 pm. Winds are expected to be gusty in the 20 mph range but not as heavy as yesterday.

Photo taken of the Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 from the Westridge (Snow Summit) cam at about 6:22 in the morning of 9-16-2007. High clouds on top, a blue sky band, and smoke covering the mountains of the north Big Bear Lake valley. Image Credit: Big Bear Mountian Resorts

Today finds us with the last report posted at 9:35 pm 9-15-07 on the wbsite of Big Bear Lake's radio station, KBHR 93.3FM -

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2
As of 9:45pm Saturday, September 15:

Incident Command reports that the revised acreage tally is 13,829 acres have burned in the Butler #2 Fire. Containment is still at 5%, though firefighting crews will continue working all night, and expect that number to be changed by morning, when 1,085 personnel will be on scene.

Converted DC10 Jet on a fire retardant drop at 15:30 9-15-07. The DC10 can drop enough retardant to cover 8/10ths of a mile. Image Credit: mountainmanor via SoCalMountains Forums

Aircraft will resume at first sunlight. CalFire's DC-10, which has been on scene since 11am, can carry 24,000 gallons of fire retardant, and will continue to do so on Sunday. As of nightfall, only one structure has burned, that being an outbuilding at Camp Wittle. Hanna Flat Campground has been destroyed. All homes in the Fawnskin area are OK and Fire Information Officer Jim Wilkins tells us that there is no immediate threat to the Big Bear Valley.

As of 2:30pm today, San Bernardino County, specifically Board of Supervisors Chairman Paul Biane acting as the county's Director of Emergency Services, declared a local emergency proclamation. In addition to making Butler #2 Fire a priority for all county agencies, the proclamation is the essential first step in securing state and federal disaster assistance. The county reports that the Telephone Emergency Notification System (known as TENS or “reverse 911”) was successful in conveying evacuation information to residents today.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for Fawnskin, and east on Big Bear Lake's North Shore to the Discovery Center, and the Green Valley area. Voluntary evacuations are in place for residents of Arrowbear, Running Springs and Lucerne Valley. Evacuation centers are available to evacuees at the following locations: Big Bear High School at 351 Maple Lane in Big Bear City, Victor Valley Community College in Victorville, the Jerry Lewis Center in Highland. Please do not bring pets to Red Cross Evacuation Centers.

Highway 18 through Lucerne is open. Highway 18, down the front way, is closed to up-bound traffic, from Highway 330 to the Big Bear Dam. However, those evacuating the mountain may take Highway 18 down the mountain. Highway 38 over Onyx Summit and down to Mentone is open. The portion of Highway 38 that covers North Shore Drive is closed from the Big Bear Dam to Stanfield Cutoff, though Stanfied Cutoff is open to traffic.

The Butler #2 Fire remains the number one wildfire priority in the nation.
Reference Here>>

This from the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection -

Butler #2 Fire:

Name: Butler #2 Fire
County: San Bernandino County
Administrative Unit: San Bernandino National Forest
Status/Notes: 12% contained - 15,433 acres - North of Big Bear
Date Started: September 14, 2007 1:51 pm
Last update: September 16, 2007 7:00 am
Reference Here>>


SoCalMountains - Scanner and Forum Chat Excerpts -

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:11:15
air tanker 910 is en route to fire...

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:11:41
that's the big one...the BIG DOG aircraft

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:11:56
YAY! Tanker 910 (the DC-10) ROCKS!

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:14:21
watched the dc-10 go back and forth over me yesterday, it loads up at SCLA

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:16:44
gotta be qualified to drop the dc-10. Needing to relieve the air support person as he is now qualified to guide dc-10 in

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:18:53
still making drops until dc-10 comes in...4 inline coming in on right turn

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:19:05
Where is SCLA...the place that DC10 loads up at...

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:20:34
so. calif. logistics airport , west victorville or Adelanto

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:23:09
rotw (DC-10) Okay, I'm gonna be in there in about 10 seconds. (Response: Come on in when you're ready, and thank you.)

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:23:22
here comes the BD plane!!!!

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:25:12
working retardant from right heel to NE quad



DC10 #910 converted jet for use in doing liquid drops (water, fozcheck, retardant) on to fires. The jet is capable of placing 12,000 gallons of retardant on to a fire area covering up to approximately 8/10ths of a mile. Drop Photo Sequence - Image Credit: Roger Vieau via KBHR 93.3FM


Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:25:42
rotw: (DC-10) How was the star point on that one, Mike? (The retardant drop) (Response: It was right on the money."

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:25:49
per scanner... CBS heli getting in the way...

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:25:56
SCLA is the former George AFB

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:34:11
The wind is picking up in moonridge

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 10:53:54
winds are blowing to the NE. there is still fire to the w of fawnskin

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 11:06:49
spots confirmed on Lucerne side...

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 11:25:47
Per Scanner: Someone called and said there were flames near there home. Lots of spot fires. I think this is in Lucurene, but I didn't hear exactly where. If anyone knows, let me know.

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 11:30:56
rotw...Lucerne Eng 11 seeing spots coming down in to Lucerne; should they respond or do you have engines in the area? Stand by until we can reach branch 3; have tried to reach Branch 3 but no response; got air attack coming up

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 11:51:11
per scanner ( its all we can do to hold the back of this , if we start sending stuff to the head we wont want to lose what weve got going on here - if you pull from this , were going to lose what weve got

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 12:20:13
{strike team go to?} at the intersection of 3N12 and 3N16

Sunday 16 September 2007 - 12:21:42
large snag on fire up here; no containment; unsafe for hand crews only; need air support; fire behind us at the west aspect; fire in front of us on the ridge; we need some heavy duty air support in here or this whole canyon is going to go

Big Bear Lake valley as seen looking east toward Baldwin Lake from a point above Artic Circle. The fire is burning intensely just north of Fawnskin. Image Credit: KBHR 93.3FM
----

UPDATE: From KBHR 93.3FM –

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2

As of 4pm Sunday, CalTrans confirms that Highway 18 is closed from Highway 330 in Running Springs to the Big Bear Dam. Terri Kasinga of CalTrans tells KBHR that the Butler #2 Fire has been burning in the Arctic Circle area, down to the highway, and there are some future concerns with regard to erosion and the consequences of that in winter weather. On Saturday afternoon, CalTrans brought in an additional 32 personnel to evacuate their equipment in the Fawnskin area. It is anticipated that Highway 18, at least on the Arctic Circle, will be closed until at least Tuesday afternoon.

Highway 38 remains closed on the North Shore, from the Big Bear Dam to the Discovery Center. All other roads, including Highway 18 to Lucerne and Highway 38 to Mentone, are open to all traffic.

In addition to this evening's 7pm meeting at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center, there will be a 4pm community meeting at the Hootman Center in Running Springs.

As of 4:30pm Sunday, fire officials tells us that east of Butler Peak, along the ridge line, the fire has progressed down to Highway 18. There are fire crews on scene, to protect the road from fire damage.

Currently the winds have picked up and shifted slightly, causing two fire crew divisions working near Fawnskin to pull back to safety zones. It is not believed that the fire has moved any closer to Fawnskin, but it still remains dangerously close at one half mile from town.

According to fire personnel sources, the slight shift in wind has moved the smoke billows so that it appears that the fire has moved more than it actually has. Reports are still coming in that Butler #2 Fire smoke is blowing as far away as Las Vegas.

----

Butler #2 Fire acerage burn topography map as of this morning. Right-Click and Save to enlarge in your computer's viewer program. Image Credit: USDA Forest Service

This report issued by INCIWEB incident reporting center -

Butler Fire #2

Current Situation
Total Personnel 1,085
Size 15,433 acres
Percent Contained 12%

Fuels Involved
Grass, Brush, and Timber.

Fire Behavior
Active ground fire with torching.

Significant Events
Highway 18 remains closed between Running Springs and Big Bear Lake Dam.

Outlook

Planned Actions
Continue to provide structure protection. Continue to construct direct and indirect line.

Projected Movement
North and East

Growth Potential
Extreme

Terrain Difficulty
High.

Remarks
Highway closures--Hwy 18 is closed from Running Springs to Big Bear Dam. Drivers may not access Big Bear from Hwy 18 or from Hwy 330 in San Bernardino, but Hwy 18 is open from Apple Valley (the high desert). Drivers may also access Big Bear via Hwy 38 from I-10 in Redlands.

Areas Closed--Camp Whittle Boy Scout Camp, Big Pine Flat, Ironwood, Hanna Flat, Yellow Post campsites in the area, and Butler Peak Lookout.

Forest Road Closures--2N13, both ends of 3N14, 4N16, 3N16 at Crab Flats, Grays Peak Trailhead.

Resources on Scene--66 hand crews, 41 engines, 14 helicopters, 12 air tankers,15 dozers, and 14 watertenders.

Mandatory Community Evacuations remain in effect for the Fawnskin area from the Big Bear Dam to The Discovery Center north of Hwy 38. An evacuatiion center has been setup at the Big Bear High School in Sugarloaf.

The mandatory evacuation order has been changed to voluntary for the Green Valley Lake area.

Voluntary Evacuations remain in effect for Lucerne Valley from Crystal Creek West to High Road and North to the Pitzer Buttes area and the communities of Running Springs and Arrowbear.

Additional Red Cross evacuation shelters have been set up at the Victor Valley Community College and the Jerry Lewis Community Center in Highland.

Weather
Current Wind Conditions: 8 mph SW
Current Temperature: 58 degrees
Current Humidity: 12 %
Reference Here>>
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Fire map showing the current fireline as of 6PM 9/16/07. Shows the fire threatening the outer edges of the village of Fawnskin. Image Credit: Google - Enhanced as viewed from approximately 28,000 feet

Final UPDATE For 9/16/2007 - KBHR 93.3FM -

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2

Community Fire Information Meeting to be broadcast live on 93.3FM, starting at 7:30pm. [this can be heard at the KBHR 93.3 website as well]

Recap as of 6:30pm Sunday, September 16:

The Butler #2 Fire, which was reported just before 1:30pm on Friday, has burned 15,433 acres as of this afternoon.

Fire officials report 12% containment, and more information should be forthcoming at this evening's 7pm meeting at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center (at 39707 Big Bear Boulevard).

It is not believed that the fire had moved any closer to Fawnskin, though the Butler #2 Fire burns just a half mile from the town. The slight shift in wind has moved the smoke billows, so that it appears that the fire has moved more than it actually has.

There is no immediate threat to other portions of Big Bear Valley. To date, only one structure at Camp Whittle has been lost to the fire. Mandatory evacuations remain in place for residents of Fawnskin, though residents of Green Valley Lake, Running Springs and Lucerne Valley are under a voluntary evacuation at this time.

As for the road situation, Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley and Highway 38 through Mentone are open. Highway 18 down the front way is closed to all traffic, from Running Springs to the Big Bear Dam.

A CalTrans official tells us that the Butler #2 Fire did burn to the highway in the Arctic Circle area, but crews are on scene to protect the road. At this time, it is anticipated that the Arctic Circle portion of Highway 18 will be closed until at least Tuesday afternoon. Highway 38, on the North Shore from the Big Bear Dam to North Shore West and Polique Canyon, is closed.

All schools in the Bear Valley Unified School District will be closed on Monday as a precautionary measure. Rainbow Kids Club will be open at the Big Bear Elementary site on Knickerbocker, from 7am to 6pm. Students who attend Rainbow Kids at North Shore or Baldwin Lane are welcome at the Big Bear Elementary site on Knickerbocker.

Big Bear High School is still operating as a Red Cross Evacuation Center, though an official from the Red Cross tells KBHR that the evacuation center at Victor Valley Community College will be closing this evening.

Fire officials will be addressing evacuees of the Fawnskin area at this evening's 7:30pm meeting (doors open at 7pm). The U.S. Forest Service tells us that the community meeting in Running Springs today was packed and standing room only, so we at KBHR will be bringing you this evening's meeting live, on the radio. Stay tuned to KBHR for a live broadcast of the 7:30 Fire Information Community Meeting here at 93.3 FM.

Butler II Fire Photos>>

Butler Peak Fire Links (all postings):

Butler Peak Fire Incident #1 (Labor Day Weekend 9-2-07) & #2 – Saturday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Sunday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Monday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Tuesday

Butler Peak Fire Incident #2 – Wednesday (final)