Adams County Sheriff’s Office issued LEVEL 3 “GO!” Evacuation notices to residents south of South Grays Creek and along Little Weiser Road in Indian Valley. A LEVEL 2 “SET” Evacuation has been issued for residents North of South Grays Creek Road to Highway 95, and a LEVEL 1 “READY” Evacuation has been issued for the Mesa area.

Incident Commander: Chris Hericks
Location: Southwest of Branham Lakes Campground 
Start Date: 09/04/2024
Cause: Lightning
Size: estimated at 40 acres
Resources on Site: 3 Initial Attack Modules 
Total Personnel: 14

The Pedro Mine Fire, located nine miles east of Sheridan in the Mill Creek area, is burning in steep, rocky terrain with little to no access for firefighters. The area contains a large concentration of standing dead trees (“snags”) that pose challenges to ensuring firefighter safety and in responding to potential medical emergencies, jeopardizing the well-being of firefighters and other responders. 

Fire managers from the Forest, working in collaboration with local Madison County officials have identified and prioritized critical values at risk in the fire area. Firefighting efforts will focus available resources on the protection of structures on private inholdings, active mining claims, and Branham Lakes Campground. All these values are approximately .1-.7 miles from the fire.

There are several factors involved in making wildfire management decisions. These factors include, firefighter safety, resource availability and threats to public safety and property. As well as, terrain, fire behavior, fire season outlook and modeling, and past prescribed fire units and vegetation management projects in the area. Fire managers are strategic in their approach and continually reassess conditions and alter management strategies to protect critical values.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
The fire was active from approximately 01:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Fire growth was the result of one main drainage of fire that burned to the ridgetop. This activity meant embers were lofted ahead of the main fire and started a spot fire, approximately .4 miles to the north towards Branham Lakes Campground. Smoke could be seen from Alder, Laurin and Sheridan. Fire managers were focused on point protection for the cabin closest to the fire and operated the sprinkler system today. As a result of the increased fire behavior, they also contacted recreators in the Campground and informed them of what was happening and directed them to leave the area by this evening. They continue to assess the other identified values at risk for protection needs, order the appropriate resources and equipment, and identify timely implementation of the protection measures. Point protection objectives will be accomplished by reducing fuels around the structures and installing sprinkler systems. These actions will only occur if the fire poses an imminent threat to the structures.

Tomorrow’s actions will begin with barricading the Mill Creek Road where it intersects with the Middle Fork of Mill Creek and preventing access through the fire area and to Branham Lakes Campground. This will protect the public and allow fire personnel to operate on the tight road system with less congestion. Fire personnel will continue mechanically reducing fuels around the other values, monitoring fire activity and subsequent movement, and observing and recording weather trends. An additional four-person Initial Attack module will arrive on the fire tomorrow to replace one of the modules who have worked their 14-day assignment and will be headed home at the end of the shift.

These actions are designed to allow fire personnel to protect the identified values at risk while operating in areas that have much better access and egress to safety.

Agency representatives continue to compile contact information for affected landowners immediately adjacent to the fire area.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
The forecast shows a chance of mainly dry thunderstorms that could produce gusty, erratic winds up to 40 mph around outflows Monday and Tuesday. The low-pressure system forecasted for mid-week is trending towards higher amounts of moisture, while conditions return to a cooler, more fall-like weather pattern.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:
The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear of flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

Gem County Sheriff’s Office issued LEVEL 3 “GO!” Evacuation notices to residents on Third Fork Road (North of Nesbitt Lane), Second Fork Road (North of Nesbitt Lane), and the Sage Hen Reservoir area. Gem County Sheriff’s Office notified the residences in person on September 8th, 2024. A LEVEL 2 “SET” Evacuation has been issued for Nesbitt Lane residents.
 

Gem County Road and Bridge issued the following road closures: Third Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, Second Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, and Nesbitt Lane. The Sweet-Ola Highway is closed at the High Valley intersection in Ola. Please be advised that the Gem County Sheriff’s Office is staffing the road closure check points.

Bear Fire Community Meeting 

September 5, 2024

Location: 305 Lincoln Street, Sierraville, CA 96126

Live streamed on Tahoe National Forest Facebook page

Bear Fire Community Meeting September 5.png

Sun, 09/08/2024 - 20:18

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Bear Fire Community Meeting September 5.png

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on September 5, 2024, the Line Fire began burning in San
Bernardino County and has since burned over 7,000 acres; and

WHEREAS the Line Fire has prompted evacuation orders and road
closures, and continues to threaten structures, homes, critical infrastructure,
endangered species, watersheds, and cultural and heritage resources; and

WHEREAS continued high temperatures throughout the day and night, dry
conditions, and strong winds have increased the intensity and spread of the Line
Fire, causing imminent threat to life, with an Excessive Heat Warning in effect in
San Bernardino County; and

WHEREAS in response to a request from the Office of Emergency Services,
the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a Fire Management
Assistance Grant to assist with the mitigation, management, and control of the
Line Fire; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find
that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due
to the Line Fire in San Bernardino County; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find
that the conditions caused by the Line Fire, by reason of their magnitude, are
beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of any
single local government and require the combined forces of a mutual aid
region or regions to appropriately respond; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8625(c), I find
that local authorities are inadequate to cope with the magnitude of the
damage caused by the Line Fire; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8571, I find
that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this
Proclamation would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the
Line Fire.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California,
in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and
statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular,
Government Code section 8625, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to
exist in San Bernardino County due to the Line Fire.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. All agencies of the state government utilize and employ state
personnel, equipment, and facilities for the performance of any and all
activities consistent with the direction of the Office of Emergency
Services and the State Emergency Plan. Also, all residents are to obey
the direction of emergency officials with regard to this emergency in
order to protect their safety.

2. The Office of Emergency Services shall provide assistance to local
governments, if appropriate, under the authority of the California
Disaster Assistance Act, Government Code section 8680 et seq., and
California Code of Regulations, Title 19, section 2900 et seq.

3. As necessary to assist local governments and for the protection of
public health and the environment, state agencies shall enter into
contracts to arrange for the procurement of materials, goods, and
services necessary to quickly assist with the response to and recovery
from the impacts of the Line Fire. Applicable provisions of the
Government Code and the Public Contract Code, including but not
limited to travel, advertising, and competitive bidding requirements,
are suspended to the extent necessary to address the effects of the
Line Fire.

4. The California National Guard may be mobilized under Military and
Veterans Code section 146 to support disaster response and relief
efforts, as directed by the Office of Emergency Services, and to
coordinate with all relevant state agencies and state and local
emergency responders and law enforcement within the impacted
areas. Sections 147 and 188 of the Military and Veterans Code are
applicable during the period of participation in this mission, exempting
the California Military Department from applicable procurement rules
for specified emergency purchases, and those rules are hereby
suspended.

5. The provisions of Unemployment Insurance Code section 1253
imposing a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance
applicants are suspended as to all applicants who are unemployed as
a direct result of the Line Fire in San Bernardino County and apply for
unemployment insurance benefits during the time period beginning
September 5, 2024, and ending on the close of business on March 5,
2025, in San Bernardino County and who are otherwise eligible for
unemployment insurance benefits.

6. In order to ensure hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities remain
open, the Director of the California Department of Public Health
(CDPH) may waive any of the licensing requirements of Chapters 1, 2,
8, and 8.5 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code and
accompanying regulations with respect to any hospital, clinic, other
health facility, home health agency, or hospice agency identified in
Health and Safety Code sections 1200, 1250, 1727, or 1746 that is
impacted by the Line Fire. Any waiver shall include alternative
measures that, under the circumstances, will allow the facilities to
remain open while protecting public health and safety. Any health
facilities or agencies being granted a waiver shall be established and
operated in accordance with their disaster and mass casualty plan or
emergency preparedness plan. Any waivers granted pursuant to this
paragraph shall be posted on the CDPH website and shall be in effect
only so long as necessary to address the direct impacts of the Line Fire
in San Bernardino County.

7. In order to directly respond to the needs of impacted adult and senior
care facilities, child care facilities, children’s residential facilities,
resource family homes, home care organizations, and other similar
care facilities and care providers within the California Department of
Social Services’ (CDSS) jurisdiction, the Director of CDSS may waive any
provisions of the Family Code, Health and Safety Code, or Welfare and
Institutions Code, and accompanying regulations or written directives,
with respect to the use, licensing, certification, registration or approval
of care providers, facilities or homes within CDSS jurisdiction set forth in
the California Community Care Facilities Act (Health and Safety Code
section 1500 et seq.), Child Care Provider Registration (Health and
Safety Code section 1596.60 et seq.), the California Child Day Care
Facilities Act (Health and Safety Code section 1596.70 et seq.),
Residential Care Facilities for Persons With Chronic Life-Threatening
Illness (Health and Safety Code section 1568.01 et seq.), the California
Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Act (Health and Safety Code
section 1569 et seq.), Medical Foster Homes for Veterans (Health and
Safety Code section 1568.21 et seq.), Continuing Care Contracts
(Health and Safety Code section 1770 et seq.), the Home Care
Services Consumer Protection Act (Health and Safety Code section
1796.10 et seq.), and the Resource Family Approval Program (Welfare
and Institutions Code section 16519.5 et seq.). Any waivers granted
pursuant to this paragraph shall be posted on the CDSS website and
shall be in effect only so long as necessary to address the direct
impacts of the Line Fire in San Bernardino County.

8. In order to directly respond to the needs of behavioral health programs
and facilities impacted by the Line Fire, including alcohol and other
drug programs, adult alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment
facilities, driving-under-the-influence programs, narcotic treatment
programs, psychiatric health facilities, mental health rehabilitation
centers, social rehabilitation programs, skilled nursing facilities with
special treatment programs, Lanterman-Petris-Short designated
facilities, community treatment facilities, short term residential
therapeutic programs, and children’s crisis residential programs, the
Director of the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) may waive
any licensing, certification, or approval requirements for such programs
under its jurisdiction set forth in Welfare and Institutions Code, Divisions
4, 5 and 9 and in Health and Safety Code, Divisions 2 and 10.5, and
accompanying regulations, written standards, or information notices.
Any waivers granted pursuant to this paragraph shall be posted on the
DHCS website and shall only be in effect so long as necessary to
address the direct impacts of the Line Fire in San Bernardino County.

9. Health and Safety Code sections 103525.5 and 103625, and Penal
Code section 14251, requiring the imposition of fees, are
suspended with regard to any request for copies of certificates of
birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage records, by any
individual who loses such records as a result of the Line Fire in San
Bernardino County. Such copies shall be provided without charge.
I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Proclamation be
filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and
notice be given of this Proclamation.

This Proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or
benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the
State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or
any other person.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have
hereunto set my hand and caused
the Great Seal of the State of
California to be affixed this 7th day
of September 2024.
_________________________
GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California
ATTEST:
_____________________________
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, PH. D
Secretary of State

COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE:

The Mesa Crest Repeater Club has opened up its repeater system, located in Crestline CA. The purpose of this is to allow anyone that has a 2-way radio to transmit if there is imminent danger to life or property.

This is a licensed frequency. If you have a GMRS license, please feel free to get on the repeater and give real time fire updates.

If you are unlicensed, you may transmit without a license under the following situation:

Imminent danger to life

Imminent danger to property

The frequency for emergency civilian traffic use is:

Transmit 467.725 CTCSS tone 141.3

Receive 462.725 CTCSS tone 141.3

The repeater will be monitored and recorded 24/7. There is adequate repeater coverage in the mountain area where the Line Fire is. 

@sanbernardinocountyfire @chp_arrowhead @sanbernardinocountysheriff @sanbernardino_pd U.S. Forest Service - San Bernardino National Forest @chp_san_bernardino @caltrans8 @sbcsdtwinpeaks @chpinlanddivision

@highlandpd @sbcsdfontana

Operational Video for the Chimney Fire

Facebook Link: https://fb.watch/utRaKzYxJx/

Evacuation Orders

An immediate threat to life. This is an order by law enforcement to leave immediately. The area is lawfully closed to public access. Evacuation Orders have been issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for the following areas:

• The area from Calle Del Rio to Hwy 38, including Greenspot Road North
• All underdeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue
• The areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18
• The communities of Running Springs and Arrow Bear Lake
• The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills
• North of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330
• Garnett Street east to the 138 and Mill Creek north to the foothills ***NEW***
• The community of Forrest Falls ***NEW***
• The community of Mountain Home Village ***NEW***

Evacuation Warnings

A potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately.

• From Boulder Avenue east to Church Street and Greenspot Road north to the foothills
• Church Street east to the city limit and from the foothills south to Greenspot Road
• Green Valley Lake north of Highway 18
• The communities of Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and Valley of Enchantment
• Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks ***NEW***
• Garnet Street to Bryant Street and Carter Street north to Mill Creek ***NEW***

Road Closures

• Highway 18 is currently closed from Kuffel Canyon to the Big Bear Dam. If you are in Running Springs, you are able to get out but you will not be allowed back in. Additionally, Highway 330 remains closed from Highland Avenue to Highway 18 in Running Springs. 
• Highway 18 is closed going northbound (inbound) from Kuffel Canyon to Running Springs.
  Only southbound (outbound) traffic is allowed.
• Highway 18 is closed from Running Springs to Highway 38 (Big Bear Dam).
• Highway 330 is closed from Highland Ave to Highway 18 in Running Springs.
• Garnet St. closed at SR-38 in Mentone, California.

Chiloquin, Ore. – The recent thunderstorms produced some fire starts north of the Copperfield Fire. Crews are being diverted to assist in initial attack on the new fires. In addition, resources will began transitioning to other fires throughout the state, helping in their efforts as resources are limited due to wildfires across the state.

Containment increased to 68%.

Today’s weather calls for continued cooling temperatures and lighter winds. This will help with ongoing mop up efforts and allow crews to continue their push deeper into the black areas around the fire perimeter.

Evacuation levels were reduced this morning. Evacuation levels are determined by the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with fire officials and agency administrators. Current evacuation areas and levels can be found at https://www.klamathcounty.org/300/Emergency-Management.