Wednesday, October 29, 2003
SUMMIT VALLEY EVACUATES
Tens of thousands flee Big Bear, Arrowhead
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"Right now we're defensive. We're trying to build lines around the communities," said San Bernardino County fire Battalion Chief Sid Hultquist at Rim of the World High School, 11/2 miles outside Lake Arrowhead.
The fire's eastward push also threatened Running Springs and other small communities where there was no backfiring. The fear there was that fire could spread into a major drainage that would funnel it directly into the heart of Big Bear. The Santa Ana Wash is also home to 30 summer camps.
"If it gets in there, it's got a straight shot up to Big Bear. That's a major concern," Hultquist said.
Similarly, a drainage to the west of Lake Arrowhead was a possible route for fire to climb into that community.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1067440640,72371,Good night all, see you tomorrow. Take care and stay safe.