Posted on 11/02/2003 7:04:53 AM PST by First_Salute
A few smoldering trees not too far away but my cabin is safe. She said that all of Crestline is there. Looking at the burn map it's an island surrounded by devestation, but it's still there!
To be honest...I had almost given up all hope.
Thank you to the fire crews for a great job! I just wish more people could have had the same fortune.
I think I'll visit you this winter when it all settles down. Lainie, myself....let's see....we'll get a little party going. We'll let you know when we're available. HAR! (I'm kidding....honest I am. I think we should all meet at Lainie's instead.....wonder if she'll see this?)
PLEASE NOTE ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS REPORT IS AN EVACUATION UPDATE FOR THE CRESTLINE AREA AS OF 5:42 P.M. PST, SUNDAY, NOV. 2, 2003.As of 4:25 PM
This is the last update for today. After the 6:00 AM briefing the radio report and this web site will be updated.Road information:
- Highway 18 IS open from Lucerne Valley to Big Bear FOR RESIDENTS ONLY. Proof of residency will be required. Expect delays at the roadblocks. Traffic is flowing smoothly
- Highway 38 will be open to Big Bear FOR RESIDENTS ONLY. Proof of residency will be required. Expect delays at the roadblocks. Traffic is flowing smoothly.
- Highway 18 is closed at the Big Bear Dam.
- Highway 330 is closed to all traffic.
- Interstate 15 is now open with no restrictions.
- Interstate 215 is now open with no restrictions.
The mandatory evacuation is now a voluntary evacuation for the Big Bear Valley only. Other Mountain communities are still under a mandatory evacuation. The evacuation for the Big Bear Valley was down graded to voluntary this morning at 8:00 AM. Keep these facts in mind while making your return plans.
Here is the latest information that we have on the Old Fire
- Current size of fire: 91,281 acres
- 72% Containment
- Estimated date for full containment: 11/08/03 or sooner.
- 850 homes destroyed 35 homes damaged 10 other properties destroyed
- Cost to fight the fire $12,025,206
- Hand Crew[s]: 76
- Helicopters: 16
- Engines: 142
- Bulldozers: 71
- Water Trucks: 71
- Support Personnel: 608
- Total Personnel: 4,211
According to Michael Perry, the City Manager for Big Bear Lake, plans are being made to reschedule Halloween in the Village for sometime soon, this will allow the children to have a little fun and for the entire community to come together to share stories, thank firefighters, law enforcement, and the hundreds of people who remained behind to assure utilities remained on. We will share the details, as they become available.
Many stores and businesses will be open but it could several days until things are back normal. Some mail will be available today and the post offices will be open on Monday for normal business.
Here is a partial list of the Businesses which contacted us and are now open as of 1:30PM Sunday. Please call them for their hours:
Stater Brother Market - Community Market - Easys in Sugerloaf - Lakeview Market - Moonridge MarketRestaurants
BLT's, Ingrids Deli, Thelmas, Old Country Inn, Sonora Cantina, Log Cabin Restaurant, Red Baron Pizza, Nachos, Sizzler, La Montana, Subway, and Good Food in the Lake View Trading Center.Fuel
Circle K Big Bear City - Oscars in the Big Bear VillageOthers
Big Bear Video - Alpine Liquor - Alpine Sports CenterMany lodges hotels and motels remained open during the evacuation and provided housing for the firefighters at no charge or almost no charge.
The Bear Valley Unified School District is asking that all teachers and staff report for work on Monday November 3. School classes will begin again on Tuesday November 4. You can call the information line for more information. Rainbow Kids will be open at Big Bear Elementary School and Baldwin Lane form 7am to 6pm and on Tuesday with their regular schedule.
If you are planning to return to Big Bear please drive carefully. The roads will be icy in the morning and anticipate heavy traffic. In addition there will be many fire fighting vehicles on the road. An accident on any of the routes to Big Bear will seriously delay returning residents. If you are driving an RV or pulling a trailer please wait until the day warms and the ice has melted. DRIVE WITH CATION, and WELCOME HOME!!
The Gas company has said the if anyone needs assistance with their gas service please call, service teams are standing by, the number is 800-530-3424.
The post offices in the Big Bear Valley will be open for normal business beginning on Monday November 3, 2003. Some mail may be available in the your Post Office Box.
City of Big Bear Department of Water reported that the firefighters are using large amounts of water in their fire fighting efforts. In light of this they are requesting that all residents use only the water that is essential. Also please make sure that you have turned off all your outdoor irrigation such as your sprinklers and winterize them.
Everyone is asked not call local fire departments for updates on the fire. They need to keep the line open for emergency operations. You can call one of the information lines including USFS 909-383-5688 and SB County 909-355-8800. They also have a web site www.calmast.org. And if you want to check on loved ones in evacuation centers call 909-888-1481.
Local elections scheduled for November 4th will continue as scheduled, but residents of the evacuated areas may vote at emergency voting sites. These sites will be open now through Monday 9 AM to 5 PM, but closed on Sunday. They will be open on election day from 7AM to 8PM. Additional sites will be added as needed.
- Registrar of Voters, 777 East Rialto Ave. San Bernardino
- Jesse Turner Community Center, 6396 Citrus Ave. Fontana
- Hesperia High School, 9898 Maple Ave. Hesperia
- Victorville City Hall, 14343 Civic Drive, Victorville
- San Bernardino International Airport (Emergency Center) 3rd and Del Rosa
As of Noon on Saturday November 1, 2003 and until further notice the Big Bear Airport is closed for all in bound and departing traffic except emergency operations. If you need any information please call the Airport at 909-585-3219.
SBA is offering low interest loans to Southern California Fire Victims call 800-621-FEMA (800-621-3362) for more information. You could be covered by your homeowners insurance for expenses related to a mandatory evacuation. Check your policy or call your agent to confirm your coverage.
EVACUATION SITES STATUS
- Victor Valley College, 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville
- Apple Valley High School, 11837 Navajo Road, Apple Valley
- Hesperia High School, 9898 Maple Ave., Hesperia
- San Bernardino International Airport - 2 Hangers
- Sultana High School, 17311 Sultana, Hesperia
According to local the local Sheriffs authorities there has been no looting in the Big Bear Valley. There have been as many as 76 patrol units on the street at any given time which is 72 more than normal. They are looking for, stopping and detaining anyone who looks suspicious
There is now a $110,000.00 reward for the capture of the arsonist who set the fire. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sgt. Bobby Dean with the Sheriff's Department Homicide Detail at (909) 387-3589 or toll-free at 1-866-346-7632.
There are many heroes that have emerged from this incident. By far the largest group which had possible had one of the biggest impacts was the residents and visitors who had evacuation plans and exercised them. Was it divine intervention that saved Big Bear? The firefighters fought hard to keep highway 38 open. The story here could have been different if the fire had jumped the fire lines in the Santa Ana Canyon and forced 38 to close. But it stayed open and 15,000 to 20,000 people evacuated calmly and without incident.
On Wednesday 50-MPH winds raced through the fire lines and into Big Bear. It looked like mother nature was determined to push the fire in to the valley. Then it all changed by Thursday morning. The high winds brought with them cold temperatures and high humidity. This fire could have changed life as we know it for Big Bear, but then, the fire just stopped. Divine intervention? I believe it was so.
This is the latest information we have on the Old Fire. Keep it tuned to KBHR, 93.3 for the next update. Second homeowners and Residents can now get fire updates on our web site KBHR933.com.
CRESTLINE EVACUATION UPDATE: as of 11/2/03 5:42 PM
Crestline / Lake Gregory Evacuation Update
The mandatory evacuation for western portions of Crestline, Lake Gregory, Valley of Enchantment, and Cedarpines Park have been reduced to a voluntary evacuation. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for east of State Route 189 and areas south of North Road. Some areas of Arrowhead Highlands and Crestline east of State Rote 138 may still be under a mandatory evacuation.
There is very little electricity available in Crestline. Phone service is out in many areas.
Residents seeking to return must obtain a pass to do so. Passes can be obtained at:
- San Bernardino International Airport, Evacuation Center, 3rd Street at Del Rosa in San Bernardino.
- Fire Emergency Local Assistance Center, 105 N.Leland Norton Way, San Bernardino.
- Wildwood Park, Waterman Ave at 40th St, San Bernardino
- Hesperia High School, 9898 Maple Ave, Hesperia
- Sultana High School, 17311 Sultana Ave, Hesperia
- Hesperia Lake Park, Arrowhead Lake Road south of Ranchero Street
- Highway 138, north of Highway 173, Silverwood Lake Recreation Area
You must have proof of residency, such as a driver license, passport, utility bill, or tax bill. Highway 18 remains closed to Crestline. All returning residents must travel Interstate 15 to State Route 138 past Silverwood Lake in order to access the Crestline area.
There is no gasoline available on the mountain and your gas service may have been turned off by Gas Company or Fire Department Officials. Do not turn your gas back on. Wait for the Gas Company to return to your area. Temperatures in Crestline are expected to be in the 30s tonight.
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