Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Wildland Fire Winds Whip Lake Arrowhead - Day 2

Evacuation Map for the morning of October 23, 2007 - Combined Grass Valley and Slide fires - Image Credit: rimoftheworld.net

Damage Assessed - Last Updated 10-30-2007

Per San Bernardino County: 352 Properties Destroyed, 59 Damaged;

The County of San Bernardino has released information on properties damaged or destroyed by the Slide and Grass Valley Fire.

----
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/
----


Wildland Fire Winds Whip Lake Arrowhead - Day 2

----

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)

----

Yesterday was chaotic all throughout Southern California as we had 17 fires blow up and spread with the help of persistent Santa Ana winds.

From Santa Barbara to the Mexican border, President Bush has declared the area a National Emergency status area. This will mobilize additional national assets to act as security and fight the fires.

DC-10 Super Tanker Jet dropping foscheck on the fires around Lake Arrowhead. Image Credit: CBS Channel-2, Los Angeles

The Grass Valley (Lake Arrowhead) and Slide (Green Valley Lake) fires in the San Bernardino Mountains were unusually damaging. Yesterday saw many homes/cabins destroyed and firefighters without the assets deployed in time to be able to limit the onslaught because of the fact the rest of Southern California was ablaze. The afternoon saw the arrival of the super tanker DC10 jet to drop 24,000 gallons of foscheck fire retardant at a pass (standard large fixed wing C-130 aircraft can carry only 3,000 gallons for each drop).

Combined - 138 Stuctures have been lost. 1900 homes remain threatened.

Photos From CBS>>

Additional Fire Reporting Link Resources At Kithbridge>>

Morning Update From Inciweb Fire Reporting website -

Grass Valley Wildland Fire - Summary

Image Credit: rimoftheworld.net

Fire northwest of Lake Arrowhead.

Mandatory areas: North Lake Arrowhead and Grass Valley are under mandatory evacuation (North of the Lake Arrowhead Dam on SR 173 and areas north of Hwy 189), All of Twin Peaks

Also Rim Forest, Crestline and Lake Gregory

Voluntary Evacuations include--Remainder of Lake Arrowhead, Cedar Glen, Cedar Pines Park and Valley of Enchantment

Evacuation Center at Jerry Lewis Community Center has been closed, Evacuation Center at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino

State Highway 18 is closed from 40th/Waterman to the Big Bear Dam

State Highway 330 is closed at Highland to Hwy 18

State Highway 138 is Closed at State Highway 173

Residents may leave via these highways but cannot go back up into the Mountains

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin 10/22/2007 at 0508 hrs.
Location Deer Lodge Park
Incident Commander Randy Clauson

Current Situation
Total Personnel Not available
Size 300 acres
Fuels Involved - Grass and Timber
Fire Behavior - Severe

Outlook

113 Stuctures have been lost. 1500 homes remain threatened.

Mandatory Evaucations for all areas north of Hwy 189 (includes North Bay Dr., Grass Valley Rd.), and North of Lake Arrowhead Dam on Hwy 173, and all of Twin Peaks. Also Crestline, Lake Gregory and Rimforest.

Voluntary Evacuations -- remainder of Lake Arrowhead, Cedar Glen, Valley of Enchantment, Cedar Pines Park

Road Closures -- All highways west of Big Bear Dam: 138, 18 and 330. Hwy 18 to 40th St., 330 bottom (Highland) to top. Residents may leave via the highways but cannot go back into these areas. However, the Slide fire has crossed Hwy 18 in Running Springs.

Weather -- Current Wind Conditions, 20-30 mph NE


Slide Wildland Fire - Summary

Image Credit: rimoftheworld.net

Mandatory Evacuation for Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear, and Running Springs. Fire has crossed Hwy 18 in Running Springs. Evacuation Center is located at National Orange Show in San Bernardino.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Not available
Location Green Valley Lake, Near Running Springs

Incident Commander Betty Ashe

Current Situation
Total Personnel Not available
Size 1,500 acres
Fuels Involved - Grass And Timber
Fire Behavior - Extreme. fire making runs at Running Springs and Green Valley Lake.

Outlook - Remarks

Mandatory Evacuations for Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear, Running Springs.

25 homes have been confirmed burned. 400 homes threatened.

Road Closures -- All highways west of Big Bear Dam: 138, 18 and 330. Hwy 18 to 40th St., 330 bottom (Highland) to top.

Resources on Scene -- 22 engines, 6 Water Tenders.

Weather -- Current Wind Conditions, 30 mph NE
Reference Here>>

This excerpted directly from So Cal Mountains Scanner/Chat website -

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 05:53:25
ok this is the post from rim per scanner that has happpend since i left off at midnite , here goes -- for the remainder of the nite no one goes into gvl, unitll day breek, -w ell re think this in the morning , and probley go in there with so ( saftely officer and sar ( serach and resue) noth side of hwy 18 , all the weast east where it goes , all the resouces will be assigned will be on full day shift assignmnet -- 0700 will be briefing on the wast end -- will do another briefing on this side afterwards-- we need to keep our eyes to the east of us there is fire is north of snowvalley--- keep the fire north of hwy 18 -- everyone is on the dock get some rest if you can -- weve gone down as far as the middle passin lane on hwy330 -there is no traffic and the smoke is getting pretty thick—

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 06:22:07
the site is loading very slowly so hang with us , well let you know whats up
per scanner about 4{30 am -- fire was reported on artic c cirlcle about 100 feet up the slope, fire is out now fire has jumped hwy 18 to the south at wilderness

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 06:25:36
xxxx go to old icidents this is where im getting info to reporst from last nite,
per scanner some people still hanging out in crestline -- they can see the entire east side of of lake geogry and its clear but winds are not calm but not heavy either if it comes that way they will leave the area but so far good
per scanner there is a horse on auguesta drive and cypresss drive , we got it , its with us ,

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 06:30:34
xxxx keep us posted please on how things are with you and him thanks so much per scanner ( helitanker 722 getting up in the air after sunrise -- north part of east flank ( side) down to crab flat-- west part is 3/4 mile east of deep creek , unable to get a look at gvl yet -- they have advised animal contol the horse is behind calvery chapel where it has already burned last nite , safe area-- animal control will pick up -- 2 blocks just east of live oak is where the fire jumped all is blocked by fire , -- briefing at live oak at 330 cars there will be turned arouned --do not use 330 fire is crossing live oak , hwy 18 at waterman , ( thats the latest

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 06:33:04
per scanner ) news reporter standing in front of the bus stop in hwy 18 in running springs he can see an red/orange glow in the distance behind him -- flare up on sandlewood drive--sandlewood flare up is jackpot fuels( meaning all sorts ) we have a wet line around the fire, were going to get someone on this fire so we dont get any more calls on it )

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 06:45:37
good morning any info on Twin Peaks or the motherless F***s that are looting?

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 06:50:47
oh xxxx i m just heart sick on hearing about those flakes , crowards as far as im concerned -- there was a report of looting with about 15 hispanic males in the back of a truck same boneheads i think for yesterdays report same kind of truck, they were getting ready to loot on golden rule and manatoba , , then suspicious people near , brentwood and grass valley units are watching and reporting and arresting

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 06:56:20
I still have friends that have not left yet and he is trying to stop them.He has also seen a white suburban with no plates and 4 mexicans.He chased them off last night

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 07:04:12
xxxx thats the one i heard about too, good for him tell him thank you for all of us but also be carefull , tooo

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 07:40:57
xxxx yes air craft at big bear air port and local air ports they are getting briefing now where to fly and what to drop as to dc 10 unknown as san diego needs it too, they are over 15,000 acres
per scanner another flare up off spyglass road, on an access road , its restarted (( expect flareups )) it does happen on extremem fires as the ground is stll hot and smoldering ))
per scanner we have 4 spots we need to get out on spy glass,

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 08:09:03
3100 block of ridgeway in running springs... has homes lost (per ch 5)

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 08:11:42
[I15 SAN BERNARDINO] -- THE NORTHBOUND & SOUTHBOUND CONNECTORS TO EASTBOUND I 210 /IN FONTANA/ -- (SAN BERNARDINO CO) ARE CLOSED - DUE TO A FIRE - A DETOUR IS AVAILABLE
Based on the above, it sounds like Cajon Pass is open, just not the 215 connectors.
----
This just in - 8:30am - Running Springs is getting pounded as per NBC Channel 4. The winds are unstoppable so the fire just keep going (at least 30 homes lost).

Channel 7 ABC - Over 1,000 homes and businesses destroyed by the two fires that have now merged north of San Diego.

Green Valley Lake Area – 10-22-2007 – Image Credit: Superfire84

This excerpted from Rim-Of-The-World (.net) –

Fire Complex Has Burned 4,000 Acres; 5% Containment
Update 8:20 AM - rimoftheworld.net

Running Springs - Structure protection for the Running Springs, Twin Peaks, and Lake Arrowhead areas are the priority, according reports from the US Forest Service. The fire complex has reportedly consumed about 4,000 acres and is 5% contained. Nearly 100 homes burned in the Running Springs area, bringing the total homes lost between 200 and 250 between Green Valley Lake and Twin Peaks – a number that is expected to grow as crews regain access to the Green Valley Lake area. There are reports of additional homes being lost in the Deep Creek and Palo Alto areas of Running Springs. Some air resources have been deployed to fight the fire this morning.

As water pressure dropped and the fire approachd Grass Valley late Monday, firefighters struggled to keep up with the flames as the water system failed multiple times. One resident remained along Sonoma Drive and managed to save his home and a few neighboring homes by extinguishing spot fires with a shovel. However, many homes along Sonoma Drive burned, especially along the northern end near Del Norte, according to an email. Firefighters are making their way back into the community and assessing the damage and their options, according to secondhand reports. Overnight there were reports of multiple structure fires on Wilderness Drive and in the 31-thousand block of Circle View Drive in Running Springs.

The fire has jumped to the south and west of Highway 330 just below Live Oak Drive in Running Springs, according to the CHP. Meanwhile spot fires and flare ups may have endangered more homes in the Grass Valley area as crews struggle to rescue horses. Law enforcement officials are still receiving reports of a suspicious white pickup truck with 10 to 15 Hispanic males in the truck bed. There have been several reports of open doors in the area. Deputies have stopped looters in the 30-thousand block of Elfin Court in Running Springs.

Overnight Firefighters have been making mixed progress with the fires. Numerous spot fires have been reported in the Grass Valley area. Firefighter have heroically contained many of these spots. There are reportedly stuctures involved along Walnut Hills. Also, the fire has reportedly jumped Grandview Road near Augusta Drive. There is little news out of Running Springs where the fire reportedly made its way into a handful of neighborhoods with reports of homes lost in the Rowco area.

Earlier, multiple homes were reported to be on fire in the Rowco area of Running Springs near Wilderness Drive and Valley Ridge Drive. In Lake Arrowhead, a structure protection task force had been assembled and responded to a flare up that was reportedly threatening homes in the area. Two residents had called 9-1-1 reporting fire at their house at Cypress Drive and Augusta Drive and in the 400-block of Violet Drive in Twin Peaks.

The Slide and Grass Complex Fire has shown no sign of relenting over night. Officials all but gave up on Green Valley Lake Monday evening, and evacuated all emergency officials. Also, the fire is approaching the Upper Rowco area of Running Springs with property damage reported along Wilderness Drive.

Mandatory evacuations are now in effect for eastern Crestline, Twin Peaks, North Lake Arrowhead, Crest Park, Skyforest, Rimforest, Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, and Green Valley Lake. Voluntary evacuations are in effect for Cedar Glen, South Lake Arrowhead, western Crestline, Valley of Enchantment and Cedarpines Park.


Green Valley Lake Area – 10-22-2007 – Image Credit: Superfire84

Excerpted directly from So Cal Mountains Scanner/Chat website -

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 09:27:44
per scanner ( on live oak a water tender is doing the best he can but hes having trouble , help needed -- structure fire at hilltop in running springs , fire has jumped the 330 and heading towards old city creek , active fire in fredalba and live oak

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 09:29:13
report of fire in forest falls

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 09:31:28
Per scanner, new fire (small) in Forest Falls near Mill Creek jump off. Going to do air recon & check smoke

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 09:56:44
can someone kill those looter parasites....what sick person would do this right now.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 09:59:59
another thing all you experienced voting fire fighters out there should thank barbera boxer and the sierria club for the preventing the removal of dead trees and other vegitation , that really screws things up for real fire fighters

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 10:05:25
A little good news from ROTW Google Group: "Good News for Fairway and Grandview in Lake Arrowhead/Twin Peaks" - My son-in-law drove through up Hwy 189 through Grandview and then down Fairway with a Fire Captain around 9AM and verified that although there is very strong smell of smoke, there were no houses lost or of immediate threat. Most of the trees in the hillside north of Fairway are burned. There was no house burned on El Dorado as earlier reported. A fire truck is stationed on El Dorado near Fairway, and several fire trucks from other areas are at Grandview Elementary. They are doing a great job putting out any spot fires. They tried to reach Running Springs but were unable due to high winds blowing the fire south/south west to hwy 18.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 10:06:14
Is the 38 only open to residents? I saw that earlier and called KBHR and also checked the CALTRANS website and they don't know anything about it. Also checked with BB Sheriff Station and was told no restrictions!!!

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 10:12:32
From Scanner, if you have friends or family in this area: folks in this area {possibly Willow in Running Springs} said they never got an evacuation notice; along with SAR units we're going to go through and make PA announcements to make sure they all get out


Green Valley Lake Area – 10-22-2007 – Image Credit: Superfire84

This excerpted from Rim-Of-The-World (.net) –

CHP Officer: "Most of Fredalba Up In Flames"
Update 10:53 AM - rimoftheworld.net

Running Springs - According to a CHP officer, "most of Fredalba is up in flames." Spot fires have been reported near Nob Hill. Tanker 910, the retardant-dropping DC-10 jet, has made its first drop over Running Springs for the day.

According to news reports most of Green Valley Lake is still standing, but many homed have burned. The fire is actively burning in and around the Running Springs area. Fire has been reported along Secret Drive and Encina Way. Homes have reportedly burned on Wagon Wheel Drive and at 31757 Hilltop Boulevard. 4 or 5 homes have burned on Easy Street. Highway 330 has flames burning on both sides of the roadway to the north and east of Live Oak Drive.

Structure protection for the Running Springs, Twin Peaks, and Lake Arrowhead areas are the priority, according reports from the US Forest Service. The fire complex has reportedly consumed about 4,000 acres and is 5% contained. Nearly 100 homes burned in the Running Springs area, bringing the total homes lost between 200 and 250 between Green Valley Lake and Twin Peaks – a number that is expected to grow as crews regain access to the Green Valley Lake area. There are reports of additional homes being lost in the Deep Creek and Palo Alto areas of Running Springs. Some air resources have been deployed to fight the fire this morning.


Excerpted directly from So Cal Mountains Scanner/Chat website -

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 11:05:41
Channel 9 showed live drop by DC10 near RS. Shortly after 4sumfun posted it was going to S.D. fire. East margin of smoke plume seems kinda close to BBL when looking from air.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 11:13:40
Interviewing Dennis Hansberger on Ch 9. Meeting with Gov Arnold in 1/2 hr then coming back up to area. -- ROTW: Fredalba mostly up in flames

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 11:14:43
Channel 7 (abc) is reporting a helicopter bringing in National Guard to watch for looters.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 11:18:09
Kuffel Canyon goes down to 189 at the village. I'm off of 18 & Kuffel behind Rockys Deli off Scyamore and Altamont Court. I have a boat in the driveway with a full 40 gallon tank of gas. Does anyone know who I can warn about the boat gas tank incase the fire gets close to us?

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 11:29:25
per scanner ( staging at station 51 all rescources, ( governor is coming in to see whats happen i guess


Update 12:18 PM - Rim-Of-The-World (.net) –

Running Springs - The fire activity in the Running Springs area is continuing to challenge firefighters. The DC-10 Air Tanker has made two runs, dropping retardant ahead of the fire in order to slow its progress. Spot fires have been reported throughout the area. Areas to the south and west of Downtown Running Springs are the most threatened at this time, with active fire in many communities. To the west, patrols are being sent to the Cedar Glen area to scout how far west the fire is progressing.

DC10 Tanker heading out toward the Slide Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest - Image Credit: Roger Vieau via Moose Drool – Socalmountains.com

Excerpted from Socalmountains Scanner/Chat Forum -

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 13:26:57
they are laying "foscheck" between the GVL area and big bear to protect "big bear" when the wind shifts

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 13:41:40
K guys, in BBL and it looks to be down closer to the 18 on the arctic circle...anyone have any update on that or if it is just smoke rolling down the slope? The DC 10 was on this side what looked like between the Buttler II footprint and GVL. Been out to see a better view and was offline. THNX

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 13:43:21
For hwy 38 and other road iinfo, here is the Caltrans # for current highway conditions -- 1-800-427-ROAD
I called and there was no mention of residents on on hwy 38

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 13:50:49
ROTW:Fires Consume a Total of 4,000 acres in Mountains
Update 1:45 PM -- Running Springs - Combined fires now over 4,000 acres. According to witnesses, firefighters in Running Spring are making a stand at Hunsacker Drive to prevent the fire from spreading further eastward. The fire has reportedly spread down Highway 330 to within one-and-a-half miles of the City Creek Ranger Station. It is also burning up hull and up wind slowly toward Fredalba Trail and Smiley Park.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 13:54:14
per scanner homes are burning , on circle view and vally ridge drive per ic -- grass valley per wildlandfire.com
grass valley 5,000 acres
200 homes destroyed
1500 homes threatened
500 ffs working this fire,

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 13:56:48
per scanner ( aa said that the fire from green valley lake, is running strong making a big push to arrowhead and he believes it will make it there today, the fire is about 1 -1/2 miles to 1-3/4 miles from lake arrowhead it will bump into the old fire burn, but there is still some good fuel there

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 13:57:04
per scanner 01:56 PM Source: scanner From: CHP CAD
1:49PM PLS ADV FIRE, UNIT IS IFO 3101 OLD CITY CREEK RD//STRUCTURE JUST STARTING ON FIRE

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 13:57:24
xxxx, all I know is from what I got from here and so far the town is in tact and around 76 station, but I think someone said behind Post Office area got hit?

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 13:58:17
per scanner please advise , fire unit structure is just starting, old city creek road

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 13:58:31
hi all I am a long way from home and I am looking for any info on Twin Peaks I am also getting little info on looters--is it really bad

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 14:00:00
It was said earlier that the sheriffs dept is patrolling and controlling the potential looter problem


This from KBHR 93.3FM news website -

Slide and Grass Valley Fires Update, as of 3pm

Despite the large plumes of smoke visible to the west of Big Bear Valley, we are assured that there is no threat to the Big Bear area at this time. Of the Grass Valley and Slide Fires, Steve Loe with the U.S. Forest Service had said this morning, “It's the driest it's ever been. It's a battle.”

The Slide Fire continues to burn in areas around Green Valley Lake and Running Springs, and mandatory evacuations remain in place for residents of these communities, as well as Arrowbear. Due to heavy and erratic winds, reportedly up to 50 miles per hour, the Slide Fire continues to grow, and total burned acreage has been updated to 4,000 acres as of this afternoon. This morning, official reports had indicated that 25 homes had burned, but that count has been revised as 100 homes in the Running Springs area were lost to the blaze last night.

That said, the count for loss of homes in the Slide Fire area has grown to at least 125 though KBHR's Rick Herrick, on scene in Running Springs, saw at least a dozen homes burning in recent hours. He also reports that the Slide Fire did jump Highway 18 just west of Running Springs in the Fredalba area and is now burning on the south side of the mountain. The Slide Fire is also burning along the ridgeline just north of Highway 18, in the turns area between Arrowbear and Snow Valley.

Due to winds and intensity on the Slide Fire, a voluntary evacuation has just been issued for residents of Highland. An evacuation center has already been established at the National Orange Show Fairgrounds, located at 689 S. E Street in San Bernardino. Dogs and cats are welcome at this location. For larger animals and livestock, an evacuation area is located at the Victorville Fairgrounds, at 14800 7th Street in Victorville.

The Grass Valley Fire, which burns in the vicinity of Lake Arrowhead and Grass Valley, has now burned 1000 acres, though a revised home loss update has not been issued since 25 structures were reported burned earlier today.

The U.S. Forest Service tells KBHR that there is no fire in Forest Falls and no fire in the Highway 38 area.

At this time, Highway 18 down the front way and Highway 330 remain closed to all traffic. Big Bear can be accessed from Highway 18, out of Lucerne Valley, and Highway 38, and no proof of residency is required to come up the mountain.

As of today, the San Bernardino National Forest is closed.

The U.S. Postal Service reports that mail delivery has not been possible for 65 post offices throughout Southern California, including the areas of Blue Jay, Cedar Glen, Crestline, Fawnskin, Green Valley Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Rimforest, Running Springs, Skyforest and Twin Peaks. The Postal Service says that conditions will be reevaluated daily, and that alternative pickup sites may be available in coming days.

Again, we just want to reiterate that though Highway 18, up the front way, and Highway 330 do remain closed because of the Slide and Grass Valley Fires, the U.S. Forest Service tells us that there is no imminent threat to the Big Bear Valley at this time.


Image Credit: rimoftheworld.net


Image Credit: rimoftheworld.net

This excerpted directly from So Cal Mountains Scanner/Chat website -

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:05:45
Going towards Arrowbear "going to do what we can do" ...but the guy says it in a weary voice

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:05:48
hey gang you all are doing a geat job reporting ,,
per scanner fire is running towards arrowbear

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:05:56
Per scanner: North side of arrowbear running toward nordic track "gunna see what we can do".

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:06:31
propane tanks blowing up

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:09:09
this fire sounds like its going to have 2 fronts one headed to arrowbear the other one to highland my opionion only

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:10:31
how can it have 2 fronts??

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:11:12
per scanner 03:09 PM Source: scanner -- the fire is getting close here to (name) home; it's up here at the top of the ridge and we have nothing to hit it with; What about Live Oak area? There were spots on the west side of Live Oak; not sure, I haven't heard any of that activity; Sounds like Fredalba/Smiley Park area got hit hard; same with areas of Nob Hill and Willow and Poplar; it was flanking us then we have fire coming back at us; What about around my house of Sunspree Oceanview area? There was some down on Old City Creek below you, but it actually looks pretty good; What about Hunsacker and Deep Creek areas, north of the town of Running Springs? They did a good job knocking the heat out. We ran out of foam; not sure we have anybody that can apply the gel. Looks like it lit up over there {behind? by?} Arrowbear, it's going to make a run towards the Nordic Tract.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:11:31
2 actively burning edges

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:14:35
xxxx, yes if the winds are just the right way, it can have flanks like this one does that means sides, ill send you a pm

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:16:57
xxxx - I live in Reche Canyon - between Colton and Mo Val. -- I like keeping an eye on these things - we got evac'd last year and had no info. This year is diff. -- Thanks for letting me know what 2 fronts are

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:19:48
per scanner air attack is using snow valley for dipping out of , for structure protection in arrow bear

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:24:27
Ferndale & N Yew in Enchanted Forest Area fire burning on that slope (missed more of this)

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:27:18
denny on Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 18:26:48 -- Ferndale & N Yew in Enchanted Forest Area fire burning on that slope (missed more of this) & oregonbabe on Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 18:27:37 -- Per scanner: well established fire at Ferndale and enchanted forest. - all part of same transmission (does that help? - I'm clueless as to most of these areas)

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:39:18
MEDIA ALERT -- CHABAD RUNNING SPRINGS CAMPUS OPEN TO AID FIREFIGHTERS

LOS ANGELES, CA, October 23 -- Chabad of California has opened its 70-acre campus in Running Springs to all firefighters and relief personnel working to combat area wildfires. Food and shelter are available free of charge to all authorized firefighters and relief workers. Located at the former CEDU School campus, the grounds will be open around the clock.

Address:3500 Seymour Road -- Running Springs, CA 92382

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:39:44
xxxx, mandatory evac for crestline to the big bear dam. Fires in Arrowhead. Nothing yet in Crestline AFAIK

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:45:59
xxxx, I'm in Crestline still. Right now the fire is behind the ridge above Dart Canyon. Choppers have been pulling from Lake Gregory and pounding the ridge since noon. No flames have been seen. There is a mandatory evacuation order for anyone east of LG. Also, bombers have been flying over at the rate of one every two minutes, including the DC10.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:52:56
All homes North of Highland Ave. in Highland have been given a voluntary evacuation. Information was from the San Bernardino sheriff's department.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 15:59:46
Just talked with an Edison guy. He says the ridge behind Dart Canyon is looking good as choppers continue to drop water on that side of the fire.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 16:03:21
just read on the google green valley lake board "- Green Valley Lake Market, Post Office, Lake Inn are fine at this time" so really, I have no clue. Sorry if the previous information was incorrect...

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 16:05:20
Ch 2: Korean church conference building in RS burned down.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 16:05:50
BREAKING NEWS AT 4:03 P.M.:

The CHP says there is a mandatory evacuation for everyone in Lake Arrowhead. Residents must use Highway 18 to evacuate. They can not use Highway 330, it is not accessible to civilians.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 16:37:30
per scanner ( regarding green valley lake status

winds are voient at this time
fire burning up to homes in canyons, so far fff have kept the fire away from the homes, ,
green v market k , post office and lke inn are fine at this time
many homes lost around fox lumber
going south all the way to the entrance of of thre valley
many homes lost around the ski area, entire hill on fire at this time
many homes lost on the outer egdge of loma alta

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 16:42:31
fire has burned all the around the back of the ski hill , toward camp cedar , , crst dire streghtes from geen valley lake road from crab flats * both sides of roads) to the back gate of caverly chapel, on the same side as the fire -- ffs are trying to stop the fire from reaching into cam[ cedar pines and there are concerns if it does go therre it will go straignt into arrowbear, fire is burning in the entire deep creek drainage and its is assumed all of crab flates has burned

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 16:45:23
Grass Valley Fire San Bernardino National Forest San Bernardino County This fire has burned 1,000 acres northwest of Lake Arrowhead. 113 structures have been lost, and more than 1500 homes remain threatened. There are mandatory evaucations for all areas north of Hwy 189 (includes North Bay Dr. and Grass Valley Rd.), North of Lake Arrowhead Dam on Hwy 173, and all of Twin Peaks. Also Crestline, Lake Gregory and Rimforest. Voluntary evacuations remain in effect for th remainder of Lake Arrowhead, Cedar Glen, Valley of Enchantment, and Cedar Pines Park. State Highway 18 is closed from 40th/Waterman to the Big Bear Dam, State Highway 330 is closed at Highland to Hwy 18, State Highway 138 is closed at State Highway 173. Residents may leave via these highways, but will not be allowed back into these areas. Grass Valley Fire Information Line (909) 383-5688.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 16:50:03
rotw: Slide Fire San Bernardino National Forest Green Valley Lake near Running Springs San Bernardino County This fire has burned 8,500 acres at Green Valley Lake near Running Springs in San Bernardino County. More than 100 homes have burned and 400 continue to be threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in place for Green Valley Lake, Arrow Bear, and Running Springs. All roads into the mountain communities are closed. 17 engines and five water tenders are currently assigned to this fire. Slide Fire Information Line (909) 383-5688.

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 16:50:37
The constant media coverage seems to get arsons all excited and they, like pedophiles, don't seem to be able to control themselves. I want to know what's going on, but wonder if all the tv coverage is too fueling for these people. Internet porn doesn't do it for them, fire does. Maybe someone should open a theme park for pyros and save us all alot of grief. I'm not trying to be comical here. Arson is serious psychosexual behavior that is not addressed in the public forum. It may be time to start writing our politicians and requesting a review of our policies on arson laws.


From Rimoftheworld.net -

Winds Subsiding; Inferno Claims Smiley Park Homes
Update 8:15 PM

Running Springs - Scanner reports put the head of the fire in Fredalba Canyon just north on Forestry Road 1N09. Winds across the mountains have significantly died down at this time. The fire is also moving up Keller Peak, according to RIMOFTHEWORLD.net's Dave Henderson. The fire behavior remains extreme, according to the US Forest Service Inciweb. More homes have been lost this evening. According to reports, many homes in the eastern half of Smiley Park were destroyed, including homes on Pine Cone Curve, Panorama Road and Winding Way.

The Slide and Grass Fires have burned about 10,000 acres of brush and timber, according to CAL Fire. According to a utility employee in the Running Springs area, the fire has damaged homes on the following roads: Deep Creek Drive, Secret Drive, Encina Way, Chicago Drive, Old City Creek Road (from near Highway 330 and up), Knoll View Drive (1 or 2 homes lost), Nob Hill Court (1 home lost), Frebalba Road (homes lost on both sides by the Catholic Church), Circle View Drive, Valley View Drive, Camp Helendade (some structures), and Easy Drive. Many others areas were threatened according to the employee. "The fire is jumping around due to the winds. It looks like a war zone here."

According to John Miller from the US Forest Service, there is now a mandatory evacuation for all communities between Crestline and Snow Valley. Cedarpines Park and Valley of Enchantment are still under a voluntary evacuation. Miller stated that the fire is now hitting Nob Hill. He was not sure if Pali Mountain Camp was damaged.

There is active structure protection in Rimwood Ranch. Structures were reported burning at the top of Live Oak Drive and Poplar.

Possible Arson Suspect Arrested Near VOE
Update 9:25 PM

Valley of Enchantment - Firefighters and law enforcement are investigating reports of a possible arsonist between Camp Seely in Valley of Enchantment along Highway 138. According to reports, a witness saw and individual trying to start a fire, then flee. It appears that the individual was unsuccessful in the attempt. Deputies made an arrest at Highway 173 and Los Flores Ranch near Silverwood Lake at 9:19 PM.

- END OF DAY -

It has been a long and trying day, the evacuations around Lake Arrowhead have become mandatory, the Slide Fire is beginning to creep into Arrowbear, and all of the maps don't show the expansion of the fire fronts (Grass Valley Fire and Slide Fire) that one can see when the TV copter does a pan shot. Good work by CBS, NBC, and ABC in the mountains, especially on the ground to highlight the front around Running Springs.

Fredalba (Smiley Park), Enchanted Forest, and areas on the South slope of Running Springs had heavy damage. Blue Jay, Twin Peaks, Lake Gregory, and Crestline are under threat through this evening. The DC-10 fire retardant dropping Jet laid down some stripes so maybe we will wake up with a fighting chance tomorrow. The weather expects to be better for a fight and some containment.

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

Photos Taken Throughout Last Night & Today>>


Monday, October 22, 2007

Seven Southland Counties Under Wildfire Siege

Southwest United States satellite photo, taken at 8:45am PST, showing the smoke trails of at least eight fires burning out-of-control causing a state of emergency to be declared throughout seven California counties. Image Credit: NOAA

Damage Assessed - Last Updated 10-30-2007

Per San Bernardino County: 352 Properties Destroyed, 59 Damaged;

The County of San Bernardino has released information on properties damaged or destroyed by the Slide and Grass Valley Fire.

----
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/
----


Seven Southland Counties Under Wildfire Siege

----

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)

----

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven counties late Sunday afternoon. He said California was reaching out to other states, including Nevada and Arizona, for firefighting resources as Santa Ana winds create an in-controllable firestorm situation that will not let up for the next couple of days.

As reported here a few weeks ago, Big Bear Lake Butler II fire was a result of Santa Ana winds threatened the small resort town of Green Valley Lake. It turns out that of the ten fires that have started in this Santa Ana condition, Green Valley Lake, as well as North Lake Arrowhead is once again in harms way.

Fire officials state that we are in the middle of a perfect firestorm condition through Tuesday afternoon.


Click Here For A List Of Sothern California Fire Information Links - Image Credit: Kithbridge.com


Green Valley & Slide Fires as seen this morning from Gilner Point on Big Bear Lake, California - Image Credit: Moose Drool, Socalmountains.com Forums

This from The Daily Green -

10 California Wildfires Burning 84,135 Acres
Santa Ana “Devil Winds” Whip Up Ferocious Fires

Posted By the daily green 10-22-2007 – 9:45am PDT


The Santa Ana “Devil Winds” continue to whip up fires in California. This weekend, 10 new fires were added to the National Interagency Fire Center’s list of new fires — all of them in California. All told, the 10 fires are burning 84,135 acres, and they’ve claimed at least one life, left dozens injured, and burned several structures, including a landmark estate in Malibu.

Sedgewick - Los Padres National Forest: 710 acres. 50% contained. Two hundred residents in the Woodstock area are under an evacuation warning, and 250 homes in the Brinkerhoff Road area are threatened.

Ranch - Angeles National Forest: 29,000 acres. 10% contained. This fire is six miles north of Castaic. Currently evacuations are in effect in the Hasley Canyon, Oak Springs, Val Verde and Piru area. State Highway 126, petroleum fields, a condor sanctuary and the Sespe Wilderness are threatened.

Canyon - Los Angeles County: 2,400 acres. 10% contained. Mandatory evacuations were implemented in Monte Nido, Malibu Colony, Malibu Road, Sweetwater Canyon, Puerco Canyon, Carbon Canyon, Carbon Mesa, Rambla Pacifica, Big Rock and Topanga Canyon tactical zone 8. Several roads in the area are closed.

Buckweed - Los Angeles County: 20,000 acres. 0% contained. This fire is near Mint Canyon Road and the Sierra Highway. Communities of Santa Clarita, Castaic, Leona Valley, Green Valley, Acton, Agua Dulce, Mint Canyon are threatened.

Santiago - Orange County: 7,500 acres. 30% contained. This fire is near Irvine. Several communities along the Santa Ana Canyon corridor are threatened. Strong winds with gusts of up to 73 miles per hour were reported. Hwy 241 is closed from Santiago Canyon to Hwy 133.

Witch - San Diego County: 10,000 acres. 0% percent contained. This fire is east of Ramona. The community of Ramona under evacuation. Hwy 78 is closed from Ramona to Santa Ysabel, Wildcat Canyon is closed, and Hwy 67 is closed from Poway Road to Ramona.

Roca - Riverside County: 125 acres. 20% contained. This fire is near Aguanga, east of Temecula.The Jojoba Hills Resort and Rancho California RV Park are threatened with the mandatory evacuation of 700 residences.

Grass Valley
[& Slide]- San Bernardino National Forest: 100 acres. Percentage contained is unknown. This fire is north of Lake Arrowhead. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for the entire Deer Lodge Park area, and all streets north of Brentwood in the Trinity Area.

Harris - San Diego County: 14,000 acres. 5% contained. Strong winds are hampering suppression efforts. Fire is burning around the Potrero CalFire station and structure protection is in place.

Coronado Hills - San Diego County: 300 acres. 0% contained. The communities of Discovery Hills, Coronado Hills and San Elijo Hills are threatened.

Reference Here>>

Throughout the day, we, at MAXINE, will place updated posts on fires that are burning in the San Bernardino National Forest that may have an effect on Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas.

This from Socalmountains.com -

Monday 22 October 2007 - 10:01:56

rotw.net....Lake Arrowhead - As of 10 AM, there are reports of structures on fire on Brentwood and Pinehurst in Lake Arrowhead and near Grass Valley Golf Course. At 9:45 AM, a flare up was reported in the Deer Lodge Park area sending up a large smoke plume. At 9:53 AM, a resident reported fire at the rear of residences along the 26000-block of Amador Lane in Lake Arrowhead with no firefighters nearby. Firefighters near Amador and Trinity were driven back by the fire and had to retreat to a safe zone.

Monday 22 October 2007 - 10:38:59

Lake Arrowhead - There are multiple reports of structures on fire on Brentwood and Pinehurst in Lake Arrowhead and near Grass Valley Golf Course. Residents are calling from the area reporting that their homes are on fire. Dispatchers are telling them to evacuate. There are insufficient fire fighting resources in the area to extinguish the structure fires. At 9:45 AM, a flare up was reported in the Deer Lodge Park area sending up a large smoke plume. At 9:53 AM, a resident reported fire at the rear of residences along the 26000-block of Amador Lane in Lake Arrowhead with no firefighters nearby. Firefighters near Amador and Trinity were driven back by the fire and had to retreat to a safe zone. The fire is crossing Brentwood as of 10:03 AM. The next threat is to Sandalwood.


Update As Of 11:45 - Socalmountains.com

THE GRASS VALLEY FIRE IS BURNING WEST OF LAKE ARROWHEAD AND HAS CONSUMED APPROX 300 ACRES. MANY HOMES HAVE BEEN LOST IN WEST LAKE ARROWHEAD (LAST ESTIMATE WAS 20-30).

THE SLIDE FIRE IS BURNING IN THE GREEN VALLEY LAKE AREA. LAST REPORT IS THAT 10-12 STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN LOST THERE. THIS FIRE HAS CONSUMED APPROX 200-300 ACRES AT LAST REPORT.MANDATORY EVACUATIONS FOR: GREEN VALLEY LAKE, ARROWBEAR, RUNNING SPRINGS, AND MOST OF LAKE ARROWHEAD.HWYS 330, 18, 138, 173 ARE CLOSED HWY 18 IS CLOSED AT THE BIG BEAR DAMEVACUATION CENTER HAS BEEN SETUP AT THE JERRY LEWIS CENTER IN HIGHLAND

Monday 22 October 2007 - 12:11:17
300 acres burnt in arrowhead


Monday 22 October 2007 - 12:14:04
Per Scanner: The Devore fire is moving into Lytle Creek. Having to redeploy resources and try to protect structures down there.


Monday 22 October 2007 - 12:14:07
per scanner cajon ic ,fire is making a hard run up glen helen road, having all rescources head there but the roads are jamed,


Monday 22 October 2007 - 12:15:07
per scanner in devor 3 fires going on now , air attack ? is making one large circle around them , hitting them as they can,


Monday 22 October 2007 - 12:15:13
Starting to get smokey here in Mt. Home. It's coming from the SE across Yucaipa Ridge. Anybody know of anything close by south of here?


Monday 22 October 2007 - 12:15:57
Hey, the only fires in the area are the two up here (Lake Arrowhead, Green Valley Lake) and a new one which has grown a lot at the 215/15 split (Devore).

Green Valley Fire - Google Maps with redline overlay of outline of fire. [right-click copy, save and enlarge in computer photo viewer] Image Credit: scottpage, Socalmountains-Forum

Monday 22 October 2007 - 12:45:40
per scanner( update gvl structure group and edge clif torching into some trees trying to hold it at brentwood and trying to keep it from sandle wood , mulitple spots,,

Monday 22 October 2007 - 12:46:21
helen we are the safe zone at this time no danger to the big bear valley at all its headed the other direction down the mountain

Monday 22 October 2007 - 12:52:08
You can more or less consider everything west of the Bear Valley Dam evacuational. Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear.

Monday 22 October 2007 - 12:58:12
Regarding Lake Forest-EVACUATIONS: A mandatory evacuation is in place for Santiago Canyon and Hangman Tree Road (Thomas Brothers page 832 D6). No evacuations at this time in Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, or Irvine

Monday 22 October 2007 - 13:04:16
Per Scanner: Units on scene in Lake Arrowhead (Sonoma and Black Oak) have lost all water pressure. Need to notify the community services district.

Monday 22 October 2007 - 13:08:19
When I consider how many fire fighting resources we had on Butler #2, from all over the state working and what it took to control and get it out I am in awe. Now consider that we have almost 20 fires going in Socal. We are in deep trouble folks. Be ready to evac. Think NOW of what you would pack if you had 5 minutes, 15 minutes or 30 minutes to get out. Write it down! Post it where you will have easy acceess to it in a stress situation.

Monday 22 October 2007 - 13:16:38
per chp log road closures nb 15 is closed, at sierra due to a fire
nb 215 is closed at devore
sb15 is closed at the 138
nb 15 closed at glen helen
nb 215 closed at devore being rerouted south on the 15 fwy from devore
sb 15 closed at the 138
nb 15 closed at glen helen
18 at waterman closed
and 330 at highland due to fire no upbound traffic allowed

Monday 22 October 2007 - 13:30:05
Kelley - From ROTW:
"At 10:05 AM, firefighters report at least three structures burning in the Green Valley Lake area. Another 400 homes are threatened in the Green Valley Lake Area."

Monday 22 October 2007 - 13:36:28
grass valley and green valley should be spelled out to avoid confusion. no more GVL.

Monday 22 October 2007 - 13:43:39
per socalfires - fire in orange county , fire is now driven over a ridge below santiago canyon road, and moving towards communites of foot hill ranch and portola hills, air attack and 6 air tankers now have been ordered, , also order for 9 + engins, or what ever they can get for structure protection - latest up date from orange county

Monday 22 October 2007 - 13:49:18
about an hour ago per scanner ( slide fire green valley was going to do some structure protection , lost a couple of homes so far this was a post from 12:40 pm

Monday 22 October 2007 - 13:49:37
Lk Arrowhead/Grass Valley fire report just on Ch 7, said they counted at least 70 homes destroyed
.

Photo from the Slide Fire, which was reported at approximately 8am this morning. Image Credit: KBHR93.3FM

This from KBHR 93.3 FM news website–

Grass Valley and Slide Fires Update, as of noon

There are two fires burning, one in the Grass Valley area, and another in the Green Valley Lake area.

Just after 5am this morning, a fire in the Grass Valley area was reported and has burned 200 acres in the area northwest of Lake Arrowhead. We have unconfirmed reports that 12 structures have burned in the Grass Valley Fire.

As of 8am this morning, a second fire, referred to as the Slide Fire, is burning along the ridgeline above Green Valley Lake, in the vicinity of Forest Service Road 2N13. The Slide Fire has burned over 200 acres, and there are also reports of structure loss in this blaze.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for the following: Green Valley Lake and North Lake Arrowhead, including Deer Lodge Park and residences on Edgecliff Drive, South Lake Arrowhead, Arrowbear and Running Springs. There are voluntary evacuations now in place for Rim Forest and Twin Peaks.

John Miller of the U.S. Forest Service has told us that there is no threat to Big Bear at this time.

Per the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the county is implementing the Telephone Emergency Notification Systems, or reverse 911, to alert residents in this area, though we have reports that some power lines may be down, which may affect service.

All highways west of the Big Bear Dam are closed to all traffic, except for those evacuating. A CalTrans official tells us that southbound highways from the burn area are in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Again Highways 18 and 330, and all those west of the Dam are closed – access is only allowed to those who are evacuating the Slide and Grass Valley Fires.

Incident Command has been stationed at the middle school in the Grass Valley Lake area, but will eventually be moving to Rim of the World High School, which is closed today.

----
Monday 22 October 2007 - 14:53:12
per scanner ( 20 homes lost and more being lost , fire has slopped over crab flats road , not a lot in lower evelations where its losing wind power so far not in the deep creek drainage if you see the need to shut off gas or edision and get the reps to set up what ever you need - 2 homes lost on klondike,, - spots on fairway

Monday 22 October 2007 - 14:55:24
I saw at lest 30 homes burning 2 hours ago from the Grass Valley fire on 7 news, I'm afraid there are alot more since then.

Monday 22 October 2007 - 15:07:23
20 homes consumed near golf course

Monday 22 October 2007 - 15:12:14
Yes, there is only one golf course in Lake Arrowhead. Grass Valley Rd goes right in front of it and Grass Valley Lake is a small lake next to the golf course.

----
On the scene of the Slide Fire: Structures are burning on Holcomb Creek Road, in the Green Valley Lake area. Image Credit: KBHR93.3FM

4:07pm PST - Audio Report On KRLA 870AM by Hugh Hewitt stated that about 125 homes in total had been damaged by fire in Southern California and there is little the firefighters can do to control or limit damage. Wind, and the lack of resources due to the amount of fires burning out of control. San Diego may actually be having the worst fire in its history. Rancho San Bernardo seems to be getting hammered.

Twin Peaks and Blue Jay near Lake Arrowhead are in the path of the Green Valley fire.

5:50pm PST - West Shore Road reports that for the last hour. red helicopters are dropping water from the lake on the fires around Lake Arrowhead.

Final Update From KBHR 93.3 FM news website -

Three Fires Burning West of Big Bear Valley -- Update as of 5pm

As of this afternoon, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department reiterates that the fires burning west of Big Bear Valley do not pose a threat at this time. According to Sergeant Jim Bergendahl at the Big Bear Station, earlier this afternoon, “We are not concerned about a threat to the Big Bear area at this time. We will be monitoring wind conditions over night.”

The Grass Valley Fire has burned approximately 300 acres in the area northwest of Lake Arrowhead, since being reported at 5:08am this morning. So far, we have unconfirmed reports of 113 burned structures in the Grass Valley Fire.

The Slide Fire, which has been burning in the vicinity of Green Valley Lake, particularly along that ridgeline, has also burned a reported 300 acres as of this afternoon. Sergeant Bergendahl (who, following a conversation with KBHR was going to evacuate his own home, which is in the area of the Slide Fire) tells us that accurate reads on burned acreage have been difficult to obtain due to the heavy smoke. As for the Slide Fire, we have reports of at least 16 homes that have burned and/or been completely lost due to the blaze. This fire has been very spotty, according to our eyewitness reports, and the Slide Fire blaze has been heading west, away from Big Bear.

A third, unnamed fire, was also reported today, and is burning in the vicinity of yesterday's small fire, off Bear Springs Road and Highway 18.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for the following: Green Valley Lake, North Lake Arrowhead, South Lake Arrowhead, Arrowbear, Running Springs and, as of this afternoon, portions of Twin Peaks. There are voluntary evacuations in place for Rimforest and other areas of Twin Peaks.

All schools in the Rim of the World School District, under the direction of interim Superintendent Ron Peavy, will be closed both Tuesday and Wednesday. This school closure does not affect students of the Bear Valley Unified School District.

At a press conference in Malibu today, Governor Schwarzenegger said, “I've proclaimed a state of emergency in seven counties, and CalFire officials are using whatever resources they need in order to put out those fires. I urge everyone to follow the directions and evacuation orders issued by the emergency personnel.”

All highways west of the Big Bear Dam are closed to all traffic, except for those evacuating. A CalTrans official tells us that southbound highways from the burn area have been in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Again Highways 18 and 330, and all those west of the Dam are closed-–access is only allowed to those who are evacuating the Slide and Grass Valley Fires.

The U.S. Post Office has closed seven Post Offices in San Bernardino County today, due to fire evacuations, no access or power failure. Updated contingency plans for mail delivery and conditions will be reevaluated tomorrow morning, for those who receive mail from Post Offices in Green Valley, Running Springs, Arrowbear, Twin Peaks, Cedar Glen, Rimforest and Spring Valley Lake, near Victorville.

So, to recap, there are three fires burning west of the Big Bear Valley, though officials tells us that there is no threat to the Big Bear at this time. All highways west of the Big Bear Dam, including 18 and 330, will remain closed to all traffic.

And, here in Big Bear, all are welcome to join the First Baptist Church at 6:30pm this evening. The Church, located across the street from Summit Plaza, will be offering up a group prayer for emergency personnel, families affected by today's fires, and for the safety of our Valley.

Photos Of The Day From The San Bernardino Sun

Wildland Fire Winds Whip Lake Arrowhead - Day 2






Friday, October 19, 2007

Harry Reid Takes Credit For EBAY Auction Idea

Senate Leader Harry Reid as he delivers a speech that gives himself a connection and credit for the success of the EBAY auction of the SMEAR letter sent to the president of Rush Limbaugh’s EIB syndication partner, Clear Channel. Image Credit: CSPAN via Rush Limbaugh website

Harry Reid Takes Credit For EBAY Auction Idea

In a speech broadcast on CSPAN from the Senate floor at 12:00pm EST, Harry Reid takes credit for EBAY auction idea.

Harry Reid makes this all about HIMSELF!

Signatures Of Shame - Democrat Party Presidential Nominee Candidate Signatures - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Barack Hussein Obama, and Senator Christopher John Dodd - From The Original Harry Reid/Rush Limbaugh Smear Letter - Image Credit: The United States Senate via EBAY

He takes credit for the letter ... and its monetary value ... when this (the letter's value) is more about the letter and the act it represents, not who wrote, or signed it.

Transcript Here (notice the term "WE", and tries to ride the coat-tails of the Rush Limbaugh EBAY effort):

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT - Video Here>>

RUSH: Here's the transcript of what Dingy Harry said and we're looking for it, we'll have the audio, but this is what Dingy Harry said on the floor of the Senate at noon Eastern time today:

HARRY REID: "Madam President, earlier this month I came to the floor to discuss some comments made by Rush Limbaugh. Following my remarks, more than 40 of my Senate colleagues and I cosigned a letter to the chairman of Clear Channel, Mark May, telling him we wanted him to confer with Limbaugh regarding the statements he made." Is that not audacious? The United States Senate getting hold of the CEO of a private corporation to confer with me over words that I had uttered. "I've since spoken to Mark May about this. Mark May in fact called me regarding this letter. This week, Rush Limbaugh put the original copy of that letter up for auction on eBay. Mr. President, we didn't have time, or we could have gotten every Senator to sign that letter."


RUSH: What is that? Yeah, if we only had time, we could have gotten everybody to sign. How come not one Republican signed it? They had a couple of days to do this. I tell you, that's an amazing statement. Had we had more time, well, was it not worth taking the time, if this was such an important issue? If you would have taken the time, Senator Reid, wouldn't a hundred signatures really have had an impact on Mark Mays, the CEO of Clear Channel, more than 41 and totally partisan signatures since it was all Democrats.

HARRY REID: "He put the letter up for auction on eBay," [continued Mr. Reid] "and I think very, very constructively, let the proceeds of that to go to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation. That provides scholarship assistance to Marines and federal law enforcement personnel whose parents fall in the line of duty. What could be a more worthwhile cause?" Rehabilitating Senator Reid is a worthwhile cause, which is I think what this is. "I think it's really good that this money on eBay is going to be raised for this purpose. When I spoke to Mark May, he and I thought this probably wouldn't make much..."

RUSH: So he's been involved in it now, huh? (laughing) He's now wormed his way into this! He's not matching. I don't think he's going to match, and he hasn't apologized for this, by the way.

HARRY REID: "When I spoke to Mark May, he and I thought this probably wouldn't make much money, a letter, written by Democrat Senators, complaining about something. This morning, the bid is more than two million for this. We've watched it during the week. It keeps going up and up and up. There's only a little bit of time left on it, but it certainly is going to be more than two million. Never did we think that this letter would bring money of this nature," said Senator Reid. "And for the cause, Madam President, it's extremely good. Now everybody knows that Rush Limbaugh and I don't agree on everything in life. Maybe that's kind of an understatement. But without qualification, Mark May, the owner of the network that has Rush Limbaugh, their auction is going to be something that raises money for a worthwhile cause. I don't know what we could do more important than helping to ensure that children of our fallen soldiers and police officers who have fallen in the line of duty have the opportunity for their children to have a good education."

RUSH: Think of this. He's using the word "we". He has inserted himself into this, ladies and gentlemen! It's going so well, it's something nobody by his own admission ever imagined, they want in on it! We've got the audio now. Let's just listen to it rather than me read it.

HARRY REID: Earlier this month, I came to the floor discussing comments made by Rush Limbaugh. Following my remarks, more than 40 of my Senate colleagues and I cosigned a letter to the chairman of Clear Channel, Mark May, telling him that we wanted him to -- to confer with Rush Limbaugh regarding the statements he made. I've since spoken to Mark May about this. Mark May in fact called me regarding this letter.

RUSH: It's Mays.

HARRY REID: This week, Rush Limbaugh put the original copy of that letter up for auction on eBay. Mr. President, we didn't have time or we could have gotten every Democratic Senator to sign that letter. But he put the letter up for auction on eBay. And I think very, very constructively, let the proceeds of that to go to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation. What is the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation? It provides scholarship assistance to children of Marines and federal law enforcement personnel whose parent dies in the line of duty, as well as health care assistance for disabled children of fallen troops. What could be a more worthwhile cause? And I think it's really good that this money on eBay is going to be raised for this purpose. When I spoke to Mark May --

RUSH: Mays.

HARRY REID: -- I think that he and I thought this would probably not raise much money, a letter by Democratic Senators complaining about something. This morning, the bid is more than two million on this. We've watched it during the week. It keeps going up and up and up, and there's only a little bit of time left on it. But it's certainly going to be more than two million. Never did we think that this letter would bring money of this nature --

RUSH: Stop the tape here, stop the tape. Do you see what's happening here? This is a clever move, rather transparent, to totally take the credit for this. Had he not sent the letter -- "we" didn't think it would ever generate this kind of money, "we" think it's great to raise this kind of, "we" think this -- he's hoping that this is the angle the Drive-Bys will cover. Harry Reid is taking credit for writing the letter that gets this money raised for the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation. Resume tape.

HARRY REID: -- the cause, Madam President, extremely good. Now, everyone knows that Rush Limbaugh and I don't agree on everything in life, and maybe that's kind of an understatement. But without qualification, Mark May, the owner of the network that has Rush Limbaugh, and Rush Limbaugh should know that this letter that they're auctioning is going to be something that raises money for a really worthwhile cause. I don't know what we could do more important than helping make sure that children of our fallen soldiers and police officers who have fallen in the line of duty have the opportunity for their children to have a good education. Think about this. More than $2 million, this is going to really help. And that's, again, an understatement. There's only a little bit of time left.

RUSH: Wait 'til you hear what's coming.

HARRY REID: -- so I would ask those that are wanting to do more, that they can go to the Harry Reid, search -- actually go on say "Harry Reid letter," this will come up on eBay. I encourage anyone interested in this with the means to do so to consider bidding on this letter and contributing to this worthwhile cause.

RUSH: Hang on here.

HARRY REID: I strongly believe that when we can put our differences aside, even Harry Reid and Rush Limbaugh, we should do that and try to accomplish good things for the American people.

RUSH: Okay. Put our differences aside? Has he apologized? He is trying to horn in and act like he's part of this whole thing, folks. This is unbelievable! And now he's out there soliciting contributions on eBay, and believe me, this is what he hopes, of all of the past two weeks, that the Drive-Bys pick up on. Well, I wasn't going to do this. I wasn't going to go back in time. But let's go back, Monday, October 1st, 17 days ago, on the very same Senate floor, Harry Reid said this.

HARRY REID: Last week, Rush Limbaugh went way over the line, way over the line. While I respect his right to say anything he likes, his unpatriotic comments I cannot ignore. During his show last Wednesday, Limbaugh was engaged in one of his typical rants. This one was unremarkable and indistinguishable from his usual drivel, which has been steadily losing listeners for years, until he crossed that line by calling our men and women in uniform who oppose the war in Iraq, and I quote, phony soldiers. This comment was so beyond the pale of decency that we can't leave it alone. And yet he followed it up with denials and an attack on Congressman Jack Murtha, who was a 37-year active member of the Marine Corps, a combat veteran.

RUSH: I wasn't going to go back and relive this because it's ancient history, and we've been moving forward. Senator Reid, you did not mention that I am matching whatever the final total is. That is "we." You were offered an invitation to come on this program and say to my face what we just replayed you saying, that I am unpatriotic, and all of the other smears and lies that you believed from Media Matters for America or whether you knew were smears and lies and just went ahead with it anyway. So now all of a sudden this is "we"? You and I have buried the hatchet? You haven't even apologized for this yet and now he wants credit for helping raise this money, as though he's been involved in it all along. It's Orwellian. It's surreal. It's alternate universe. It continues. Senator Reid, I asked you, I suggested that you and Senators in the Senate who could afford this match it. I haven't heard whether you want to match the final total. I pledged to do so from the get-go. By the way, one more time, it's Mays. It's Mark Mays. There's an S on the end of his name.

HARRY REID: Rush Limbaugh took it upon himself to attack the courage and character of those fighting and dying for him and for all of us. Rush Limbaugh got himself a deferment from serving when he was a young man. He never served in uniform. He never saw in person the extreme difficulty of maintaining peace in a foreign country engaged in a civil war. He never saw a person in combat. Yet he thinks that his opinion on the war is worth more than those who have been on the front lines. And what's worse, Limbaugh's show is broadcast on Armed Forces Radio, which means that thousands of troops overseas and veterans here at home were forced to hear this attack on their patriotism. Rush Limbaugh owes the men and women of our armed forces an apology.

RUSH: Right. And he wants to pretend now that he's all supportive of this and very happy about it, and that this is "we" and we've buried the hatchet. I still haven't been apologized to for any of this.

RUSH: This attempt by Harry Reid to take to the floor of the Senate at 12 noon Eastern Time today to personalize this and make it about himself, you just know the mainstream media, the Drive-Bys, will get on this story now and Reid will end up being very positively portrayed. He has quotes about how "we" never thought that the letter would generate this kind of money. "We" never thought...? "Mark May and I..." It's Mays! "Mark May and I talked about this, and Mark May and I..." Senator Reid, let me be clear about this one more time -- actually, as many times as it takes. It wasn't your letter that raised this money. It was your abuse of power that is responsible for raising this money. No other letter you have written would be... People wouldn't pay a dime for it, Senator! This one represents an abuse of power: a federal government official, a US senator, getting hold -- after besmirching me and smearing me by name personally from the Senate floor, gets hold -- of the CEO of my syndication partner and asks him to "confer" with me about something Senator Reid thought was said that was improper? Words? First Amendment? Free speech? That, sir, is an abuse of power. That is why your letter is historic, not because you signed it, not because 40 other people signed it, not because you wrote it. It is because of what that letter represents: a full-fledged, undeniable, 100% abuse of power, and that's how this letter will be remembered by historians forever.

RUSH: Translation for Harry Reid's speech on the Senate floor today: "You win, Rush."

END TRANSCRIPT

Rush Limbaugh, after reading the transcript and hearing the remarks (in context), called the statement read on the Senate floor and broadcast on CSPAN "Brazen", "Insidious", and "Unbelieveable".

After listening to the remarks replayed on the radio show (11:20am PST), we, at MAXINE, would have to agree with Rush. Oh ... and there was not a hint of an apology (or Rush's matching contribution of $2,100,100) for what had been written in the SMEAR letter.

The Senate "IMUS-ing" (an abuse-of-power out-of-context smear hammered on by the media to create a firing) of Rush Limbaugh did not work.

Rush - 1

Senate (Harry Reid and 40 Senate Democrats) - 0


This abuse of power action was as successful as this current session of Congress (while spending time on stuff like this and deriding our troops, they have not been able to pass a thing).











Tuesday, October 16, 2007

The Real Survivor Fiji – Payin’ The Piper

Sunset Wallpaper, Coral Coast, Fiji - A Photo of an amazing sunset over palm trees on the Coral Coast of Fiji, set for use as desktop backgrounds or wallpaper [the best way to see Fiji while the military is still in control]. It has been resized, scaled at 1152x864 pixels - perfect for backgrounds or wallpaper for your desktop. Go to link - right click the image and select - "set as background" - Image Credit: Alistair Watters

The Real Survivor Fiji – Payin’ The Piper

Drop a stone into a pool of water and watch the ripple wave transverse across the calm surface.

For every action taken in haste, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Please tell this to the soldiers of Fiji who lost their guaranteed government jobs because the government is not bringing in enough money.

A nation under military siege is not a country people really want to visit. There are other beautiful Pacific Ocean island destinations that offer culture, gorgeous weather, and serenity that do not have a Commodore as its supreme leader in the middle of an action that will show itself as a major mistake.

I am sure that in another week or two, the former soldiers who are now citizens (and still others who will be on a rations diet) will see the light and wonder … what the heck did we do, and what were we thinking when we illegally took control of a democratically elected government?

In time, everyone has to pay the piper for the tune he plays.

This item from Reuters -

Fiji's military blows budget on coup, cuts troops
Source: Reuters - 16 Oct 2007 01:41:12 GMT


Coups can be expensive. Just ask the Fiji military, which has been forced to cut troop numbers and slash rations after breaking its 2007 budget due to the extra costs involved in toppling the government.

The South Pacific island nation's military was allocated F$80 million (US$57 million) for 2007, but a bloodless December 2006 coup and subsequent "mobilisation"
[read "clamp down" and "control"] were not budgeted for, the army told local media.

The army has now reduced rations by more than half, slashing a soldier's daily pay from F$7 to F$2.50, to sustain operations, the news Web site fijilive.com said.

"Yes, we did bust our budget, but that was a national necessity for us," Military Land Force chief of staff Lieutenant-Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga told fijilive on Tuesday.

"We had to ask for an extra provision but we were not given any so we had to look from within. We had to cut on our rations."
----
To trim costs the army said it made soldiers redundant because it could not pay their wages, disbanded its reserves in July and cut a lot of training programmes.

"We did not buy any vehicles this year. We had to go borrow all the government vehicles. There were a lot of cost-cutting measures," Tikoitoga said.

The army is in talks with the country's interim government, headed by coup leader and military chief Frank Bainimarama, on a new budget, which will be announced in November.

Bainimarama staged Fiji's fourth coup on Dec. 5, toppling the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, arguing his government was corrupt and soft on those involved in a 2000 coup. (F$1 = US$0.7152)

Reference Here>>

The phrase in the article we, at MAXINE, like the most is ... "To trim costs the army said it made soldiers redundant" ... Hey, what is a military coup without military soldiers or the rations (slashed by more than half) to maintain them?

Why don't we just make the coup effort REDUNDANT?

Can anyone say ... "Reverse Coup?" ... we knew you could.


"In Springfield: They're Eating The Dogs - They're Eating The Cats"

Inventiveness is always in the eye of the beholder. Here is a remade Dr. Seuss book cover graphic featuring stylized Trumpian hair posted at...