SB Fire & Wind Coverage

Power lines down in Rialto

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:54:06 -0800

Scanner traffic indicates two power lines were downed by wind gusts in Rialto early this afternoon.

Neither posed any danger to residents, though one line reportedly was blocking a street.

Power company crews were called out to repair the lines.

Weather service: Winds strong below Cajon Pass

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:04:35 -0800

LOS ANGELES --Santa Ana winds expected to return today and last through Saturday will be strongest below the Cajon Pass and in the Santa Ana Mountains, according to the National Weather Service.
Firefighters are on alert across Southern California as red flag warnings for strong, gusting winds and critical fire weather were issued Thursday by the Weather Service for mountains and passes in six Southern California counties.
The warnings are in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday.
Winds may begin gusting today during the mid- to late morning, said Don Whitlow, a Weather Service meteorologist based in San Diego.
The winds are expected to be strongest and most widespread late tonight through Saturday morning, with
moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds at times, according to a Weather Service statement issued today.
Winds are expected to be strongest below the Cajon Pass and in the Santa Ana mountains and foothills.
Fire crews and extra equipment from across the West are here on standby.
In addition to county and state resources, federal assets assigned to be ready for strong winds include 11 air tankers, 18 helicopters, four military C-130s equipped for retardant drops, five lead planes, 170 fire engines, 21 hand crews and three incident management teams, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The Los Angeles Fire Department will enforce parking restrictions for the Hollywood Hills and other fire-prone areas with narrow winding roads, officials said. The restrictions go into effect at 10 a.m. today until further notice.
-- Associated Press

Firefighters watch, wait

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 08:48:16 -0800

SAN BERNARDINO - About 600 firefighters spent Thanksgiving at the National Orange Show Events Center on Thursday ready to battle any evidence of wildfire in the Inland region of Southern California.
The mass staging of firefighters and equipment was in response to dire forecasts of 60-70 mph Santa Ana winds and critical dryness in the mountains.

"We've got big TVs and good food today, actually real good food today," said Capt. Kevin Kamnikar of the Salinas Rural Fire District.

Fire crews dined on a traditional meal that included turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, while they watched the USC-Arizona State football game inside the spacious Citrus building on the Orange Show grounds.

Several firefighters cheered when the Sun Devils scored a touchdown to tie the game. The Trojans won, 44-24.

Firefighters have waited for several days in case a new Inland wildfire erupts during the predicted high winds today.

"At a moment's notice, we'll take off," said Richard Lamy, a member of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Zuni Hotshots from Northeastern New Mexico.

Lamy's team arrived Sunday in San Bernardino.

Waiting to see if another blaze ignites is just business as usual for firefighters like Engineer Scott Freels of the Santa Clara County's unit of the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Freels has worked at more wildfires this year than he can name. "It's been a long summer," he said.

San Bernardino County Fire spokeswoman Tracey Martinez said the fire crews would likely stay through the weekend.

About 90 engine companies were staged and ready Thursday at the National Orange Show grounds in anticipation of the explosive weather formula of hot Santa Ana winds combined with a red flag warning.

Fire recovery information

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 11:30:44 -0800

County officials have scheduled a fire recovery information fair for this afternoon. San Bernardino County’s Fire Emergency Local Assistance Center and other groups and agencies will be on hand to meet with mountain residents to discuss what kinds of assistance are available. The event is not a town hall-style meeting. The information fair will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Hootman Senior Center, 2929 Running Springs School Road, Running Springs.

County Scaling Back One-Stop Help Center

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:32:43 -0800

With displaced victims of the recent wildfires moving from the National Orange Show evacuation center back home to the mountains, the county at noon today will scale back the scope of the Fire Emergency Local Assistance Center.
The FELAC, located in the Dome building at the National Orange Show, has served as a one-stop center housing more than 40 county, state, federal, and private agencies offering a wide array of services to help fire victims get back on their feet. The center has offered services ranging from counseling to small business assistance, from social services to property assessment, and from disaster aid to guidance on waste management.

Video: Residents Return Home

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:20:38 -0800

Video: 10/30: Residents Return Home

Grass Valley resident who lost their homes receive gift from the county

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:58:56 -0800

San Bernardino County has delivered a potted plant with a message that says “Our heartfelt support is with each of you in this difficult time” into the driveway of each house that burned in the Grass Valley area in Lake Arrowhead.
Each household was also given a bag with a mask, Kleenex and trash bags.

Updated Schedule for Mountain Visits

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:06:07 -0800

The following is the updated schedule for site visits and re-entry of Grass Valley in Lake Arrowhead, as well as the Running Springs area and Arrowbear.

Breakdown on Fire Losses

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:46:00 -0800

The Slide Fire, which burned in Green Valley Lake, Running Springs, Enchanted Forest and Smiley Park, destroyed 272 homes and damaged 43, according to Adam Aleman, the county's assistant assessor.
The Grass Valley Fire, which burned primarily in Lake Arrowhead, destroyed 178 homes and damaged 22, he said.
-- George Watson

SB Mountain Wildfires Destroyed 450 Homes

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:22:49 -0800

The Grass Valley and Slide fires together destroyed at least 450 houses in the San Bernardino Mountains, said Adam Aleman, a county assistant assessor.
The two blazes also damaged 65 homes, he added.
Aleman was still working on breaking down the total number of homes consumed by each fire.
-- George Watson

Baca Wants Tax Relief for Wildfire Victims

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:42:53 -0800

Rep. Joe Baca, D-Rialto, introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that would provide tax relief to the victims of the California Wildfires. The California Wildfire Tax Relief Act of 2007 has already garnered bipartisan support and would provide special exemptions to the more than 2,000 homeowners who had their houses destroyed.
“Nothing we can do will replace the losses suffered by too many Californians this past week,” Baca said. “But we can help to make the rebuilding process as smooth as possible. Giving tax relief to those who have already suffered through so much is a good start in helping them return their lives to normal.”

Fire Relief Fund Accepting Donations

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:16:40 -0800

The Rim Resource Network, a Rebuilding Mountain Hearts & Lives program, is now accepting donations to assist those affected in the San Bernardino Mountain communities impacted by the Slide and Grass Valley Fires.
“Once again our residents must join together to assist those whose homes were destroyed or damaged by the two fires that ravaged the communities of Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear, Running Springs, Fredalba, Smiley Park, Twin Peaks, and Lake Arrowhead,” according to Rebuilding Mountain Hearts & Lives Executive Director David Stuart.

DMV Re-opens

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:20:36 -0800

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has re-opened offices in San Bernardino County today after being shut down due to the wildfires. Offices re-opening here include the Redlands office at 1659 W. Lugonia Ave. and the Fontana office, 16499 Merrill Ave.
For more information, log on to www.dmv.ca.gov.

--Michael Munoz

County to Lead Tours of Grass Valley

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:17:36 -0800

Residents and property owners of Grass Valley can view their homes and properties and salvage belongings during an organized site visit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The mandatory evacuation order for this area will remain in effect during the visit. Those attending the site visit will have to leave the area following the visit.

Post Offices Up And Running

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:15:33 -0800

In San Bernardino County, mail delivery resumes today at local Post Offices in Blue Jay 92317, Cedar Glen 92321, Crestline 92325, Lake Arrowhead 92352, Rimforest 92378, Skyforest 92385 and Twin Peaks 92391. Mail from these zip codes had previously been relocated to San Bernardino International Airport.
Mail for Running Springs and Green Valley Lake will remain at the airport for people to pick up.
Post Office officials urge residents to check their mail daily, especially for those customers who have Post Office Boxes. Accumulated mail volume is filling mail receptacles beyond capacity.
Residents experiencing damaged or destroyed homes or businesses and can no longer receive mail there should contact their local Post Office to make alternative arrangements. Mail that is undeliverable due to property damage will be held for pick-up at local Post Offices or wherever mail is available for that ZIP Code.

--Michael Munoz