A large column of smoke is visible from a fire only a few miles south of Onyx Summit. The fire has been moving very rapidly toward the northwest and north. (Photo by Scott Straley.) http://www.rimoftheworld.net/columns/rotw/fire_creeps
The heavy fire activity that was visible near the Ten Thousand Foot Ridge — about 5 miles south and southeast of Onyx Summit — several hours ago have progressed rapidly toward the northwest. A large column of smoke with very active burning can be seen just to the south of Onyx Summit.
Smoke drifted across eastern Big Bear Valley this morning from the Sawtooth Fire. Aside from the drift smoke, however, very little fire activity can be observed from the Onyx Summit area. The areas where torching occurred Thursday night show only a few columns of white smoke. The winds are generally calm. Forest Service crews from Mill Creek pulled into the small community and are working with Big Bear fire crews to shore up the "contingency line" from Onyx Peak to the Arrastre Fire burn area. Additionally, crews are continuing to work in Burns Canyon to the east.
Some reports indicate that the Sawtooth Complex and Millard Complex Fires have merged in Little Morongo Canyon — but the official word is that they're still 1/2 mile apart, according to fire officials. Excessive heat and breezier conditions today are expected to create extreme fire behavior.
The western edge of the Sawtooth Fire slowly is backing westward down a ridgeline about 3 miles to the east of Onyx Summit. Firefighters had hoped for additional air support today, but those aircraft were diverted elsewhere on the fire. And, without air support, officials are reluctant to send in hot shot crews.
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