Fire season is here

Left: Betty Ashe from the U.S. Forest Service conducting an investigation.

Right: Fire crews over hauling the brush area where the fire was contained.

   There were two fires this last week in San Bernardino Mountains, one of which within Bear Valley. The Zaca Fire was a local fire in the east end of the valley and the Apache Fire was near San Jacinto.

Zaca Fire:

   On Tuesday, Apr. 29, the Big Bear City Fire Department received a 9-1-1 report of a brush fire at East Big Bear Blvd and Wagon Wheel Drive. All Big Bear Valley fire agencies responded to the scene. Upon arrival of fire crews, a 50’x50’ fire was found in the forested area off East Big Bear Blvd.

   Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the flames and get a “wet line” (fire line hose filled with water) around the small fire. The cause of this fire is being investigated by the U.S. Forest Service. 

Apache Fire:

   The Apache Fire was reported at 4:35pm on Tuesday, April 29, and is located on Apache Peak in the San Jacinto Wilderness of the San Bernardino National Forest. As of May 2nd, the fire has been 25% contained. The crews are experiencing steep terrain, smoke and difficult access. Command of the fire will transition to a Type 2 Team, So Cal Team 1(Carlton Joseph).

   Fire is burning in the San Jacinto Wilderness but is visible from many areas. Winds have died down. There are no evacuations in place. The San Jacinto Wilderness and Mt. San Jacinto State Park are closed until further notice. The Devil's Slide, Spitler Peak, Southridge, Fobes Ranch, and Cedar Springs trails and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail are closed until further notice. Full containment predicted for May 4, 2008. The Palm Springs Tramway remains open.

   For more recent updates, click here.

   Citizens are encouraged to be diligent in spotting any smoke or suspicious behavior within the Big Bear Valley. Everyone knows, the sooner the report is received, the sooner fire crews can act on any type fire. Bear Valley News would like to remind readers that last year, we had 2 fires before the end of April.

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