CURRENT CONDITIONS:

Overnight, fire activity remained minimal due to cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Firefighters continue to work on hot spots near Angelus Oaks, Jenks Lake, and near the west fork of Barton Creek. Today’s focus is for firefighters to build and re-enforce containment lines, and mop-up in these areas. While, good progress is being made in these critical areas, trees that are burning out could fall across containment lines. Crews are addressing these hazardous trees throughout the day. Spot fires remain a concern due to critically dry fuels. Rolling hot material remains a concern, but is diminishing daily.

Rock and debris slides that had caused the closure of Highway 38 between mile marker 16 and 17 has somewhat stabilized with less rocks coming down onto the roadway. The highway remains open only to emergency vehicles. Caltrans continues to patrol the highway, clear rocks and fall hazardous trees.

Please keep in mind there remains firefighting personnel and heavy equipment working in the area. Please drive with EXTREME caution as roadway hazards may exist. Slow down, obey all traffic laws and expect possible traffic delays.

WEATHER: High pressure will continue across the area through the end of the week with dry conditions. Winds will be generally light with typical daytime patterns Temps in the fire area are forecasted to be 79-84 degrees.

ROAD CLOSURES:  Highway 38 between Bryant St. to the south and Onyx Summit to the north. Residents of Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village will be allowed through with proof of residency.

EVACUATIONS: The Evacuation order for community of Rainbow Lane near Onyx Summit has been lifted and residents have been allowed to return with proper identification.  Incident commanders continue daily to assess the risk to effected communities. firefighters are working hard in the area and conditions are improving; however, evacuation orders remain in effect for residents from Angelus Oaks up to Onyx Summit. Residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls have been allowed to return but, remain under an evacuation warning.

Residents as you return home, please keep in mind that there will be firefighting personnel, heavy equipment and other cooperators working in the area and be aware of existing hazards. Please drive with EXTREME caution. Slow down, do not tailgate, obey all traffic laws and expect possible traffic delays.

Updated evacuation information: https://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9b818cd8a7a24c9a96361f5fc3be0803

Be prepared for disaster. The Ready San Bernardino County app will help you prepare and plan for how to respond to a disaster in your area. https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOREST CLOSURES: All four Forests in Southern California, the Cleveland, San Bernardino, Angeles, and Los Padres remain closed to all public use due to the extreme fire conditions and critical limitations on firefighting resources. Regional Order No. 20-12 Emergency Forest Closure

RETURNING HOME AFTER A WILDFIRE:  Although wildfire damage can be immeasurable, the danger is not over after the flames are put out. Flash flooding and debris flows, structural damage, road instability, and damaged trees are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. ReadyforWildFire.org

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CURRENT CONDITIONS:

WEATHER: High pressure will continue across the area through the end of the week with dry conditions. Winds will be generally light with typical daytime patterns Temps in the fire area this evening are forecasted to be 53-58 degrees.

ROAD CLOSURES: Highway 38 between Bryant St. to the south and Onyx Summit to the north. Residents of Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village will be allowed through with proof of residency.

EVACUATIONS: The Evacuation order for community of Rainbow Lane near Onyx Summit has been lifted and residents have been allowed to return with proper identification. Wildland fire managers must constantly assess the threat of both natural and human-caused fire to the wildlands, and the threat of wildland fires to communities

Be prepared for disaster. The Ready San Bernardino County app will help you prepare and plan for how to respond to a disaster in your area. https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/

TRAVEL NOTES: The El Dorado Fire Unified Incident Commanders continue to ask visitors for their understanding and consider rescheduling planned visits to the Big Bear area due to fire activity. Please check the Big Bear Fire Department Travel Advisory for the reasons why: https://bigbearfire.com/

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOREST CLOSURES: All four Forests in Southern California, the Cleveland, San Bernardino, Angeles, and Los Padres remain closed to all public use due to the extreme fire conditions and critical limitations on firefighting resources. Regional Order No. 20-12 Emergency Forest Closure

RETURNING HOME AFTER A WILDFIRE: Although wildfire damage can be immeasurable, the danger is not over after the flames are put out. Flash flooding and debris flows, structural damage, road instability, and damaged trees are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. ReadyforWildFire.org

Yucaipa, CA- As a result of firefighters gaining additional containment on the El Dorado Fire over the past several days, incident commanders have allowed for the opening of Rainbow Lane near Onyx Summit

Please note that Highway 38 will remain closed from Bryant Ave. to post mile marker 37, 2 miles southwest of Onyx Summit. Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls residents are allowed access to their communities with proper identification.

The communities of Angelus Oaks, and Seven Oaks remain under an Evacuation Order. Incident commanders are assessing the risk to effected communities daily.  Firefighters are working hard in the area and conditions are improving;

Residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls have been allowed to return but, remain under an evacuation warning.

Please be aware that all U.S. Forest Service roads, trails and land remain closed. All four Forests in Southern California: San Bernardino, Cleveland, Angeles, and Los Padres remain closed to all public use due to the extreme fire conditions and critical limitations on firefighting resources. Regional Order No. 20-12 Emergency Forest Closure

Please monitor official sources for any changes: San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit, and San Bernardino County Fire.

Residents as you return home, please keep in mind that there will be firefighting personnel, heavy equipment and other cooperators working in the area and be aware of existing hazards. Please drive with EXTREME caution. Although wildfire damage can be immeasurable, the danger is not over after the flames are extinguished. Flash flooding and debris flows, structural damage, road instability, and damaged trees are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. ReadyforWildFire.org

Incident commanders wish to thank the local communities for patience, understanding and support as firefighters continue their efforts to fully contain the El Dorado Fire.

  CURRENT CONDITIONS: 

Overnight, fire activity lessened due to cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Firefighters continue to find hot spots up slope from Hwy 38 below the 5000’ level and near the west fork of Barton Creek. Firefighters continue to build and re-enforce containment lines, attack flare ups and mop-up. While, good progress is being made in these critical areas, trees that are burning out could fall across containment lines. Crews are addressing these hazardous trees throughout the day. 

Fuels remain critically dry, spot fires, and rolling hot material continue to be of concern as containment lines remain at risk due to hot rolling material along the Hwy 38 corridor.  

The large rock and debris slide that had caused the closure of Highway 38 between mile marker 16 and 17 has somewhat stabilized with less rocks coming down onto the roadway. The highway remains open only to emergency vehicles. Caltrans continues to patrol the highway and clear rocks and debris.  

The El Dorado Fire started on September 5, 2020, in El Dorado Park located in the Yucaipa/Oak Glen area of Southern California, which is protected by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE. Prior to the fire, Southern California was experiencing a series of heat waves. On the day of the fire, there was record breaking temperatures across the region. Due to the dry conditions and grass covered hills, the fire spread rapidly onto Forest Lands in the San Bernardino National Forest. With a record number of fires throughout California, fire resources were limited.  

WEATHER: High pressure will continue across the area through the end of the week with dry conditions. Winds will be generally light with typical daytime patterns Temps in the fire area are forecasted to be 79-84 degrees. 

ROAD CLOSURES:  Highway 38 between Bryant St. to the south and Onyx Summit to the north. Residents of Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village will be allowed through with proof of residency. 

EVACUATIONS:  Incident commanders continue daily to assess the risk to effected communities. firefighters are working hard in the area and conditions are improving; however, evacuation orders remain in effect for residents from Angelus Oaks up to Onyx Summit. Residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls have been allowed to return but, remain under an evacuation warning. Please monitor official sources for any changes: San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit, and San Bernardino County Fire.  

Residents as you return home, please keep in mind that there will be firefighting personnel, heavy equipment and other cooperators working in the area and be aware of existing hazards. Please drive with EXTREME caution. Slow down, do not tailgate, obey all traffic laws and expect possible traffic delays. 

Updated evacuation information: https://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9b818cd8a7a24c9a96361f5fc3be0803 

Be prepared for disaster. The Ready San Bernardino County app will help you prepare and plan for how to respond to a disaster in your area. https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/ 

TRAVEL NOTES: The El Dorado Fire Unified Incident Commanders continue to ask visitors for their understanding and consider rescheduling planned visits to the Big Bear area due to fire activity.  Please check the Big Bear Fire Department Travel Advisory for the reasons why:  https://bigbearfire.com/ 

All camps within the San Bernardino National Forest remain closed. 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOREST CLOSURES: All four Forests in Southern California, the Cleveland, San Bernardino, Angeles, and Los Padres remain closed to all public use due to the extreme fire conditions and critical limitations on firefighting resources. Regional Order No. 20-12 Emergency Forest Closure 

RETURNING HOME AFTER A WILDFIRE:  Although wildfire damage can be immeasurable, the danger is not over after the flames are put out. Flash flooding and debris flows, structural damage, road instability, and damaged trees are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. ReadyforWildFire.org 

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CURRENT CONDITIONS: 

Today firefighters continued to build containment lines, check for hot spots and mop-up around the fire line. Helicopters and Fire Boss Airtankers made airdrops throughout the day supporting firefighters on the ground attacking flare ups and hot spots. 

 Firefighters remain vigilant as fire backs down slopes and burns off the fuels in the remaining areas that have not reached Hwy 38. Firefighters continue to mop up and strengthen containment lines around structures in Angeles Oak and Forest Falls communities.   Fuels are still critically dry and spot fires continues to be of concern as containment lines remain at risk due to hot rolling material along the Hwy 38 corridor. Infrared mapping is still showing hot spots up slope from Hwy 38 below the 5000’ level. 

As a reminder, all four Forests in Southern California, the Cleveland, San Bernardino, Angeles, and Los Padres remain closed to all public use due to the extreme fire conditions and critical limitations on firefighting resources. Regional Order No. 20-12 Emergency Forest Closure   All camps within the San Bernardino National Forest remain closed. 

The El Dorado Fire started on September 5, 2020, in El Dorado Park located in the Yucaipa/Oak Glen area of Southern California, which is protected by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE. Prior to the fire, Southern California was experiencing a series of heat waves. On the day of the fire, there was record breaking temperatures across the region. Due to the dry conditions and grass covered hills, the fire spread rapidly onto Forest Lands in the San Bernardino National Forest. The fire has held within its existing perimeter for the last couple of days. 

WEATHER Tonight temperatures will be between 67 to 72 degrees at the lower elevations and 53 to 58 degrees at the higher elevations. Humidity will be between 47% and 57% 

ROAD CLOSURES:  Highway 38 between Bryant St. to the south and Onyx Summit to the north. Residents of Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village will be allowed through with proof of residency. 

EVACUATIONS:  Incident commanders continue daily to assess the risk to effected communities. firefighters are working hard in the area and conditions are improving; however, evacuation orders remain in effect for residents from Angelus Oaks up to Onyx Summit. Residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls have been allowed to return but, remain under an evacuation warning. Please monitor official sources for any changes: San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit, and San Bernardino County Fire.  

Residents, when you return home, please keep in mind that there will be firefighting personnel, heavy equipment and other cooperators working in the area and be aware of existing hazards. Please drive with EXTREME caution.  

Updated evacuation information: https://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9b818cd8a7a24c9a96361f5fc3be0803 

Be prepared for disaster. The Ready San Bernardino County app will help you prepare and plan for how to respond to a disaster in your area. https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/ 

RETURNING HOME AFTER A WILDFIRE:  Although wildfire damage can be immeasurable, the danger is not over after the flames are put out. Flash flooding and debris flows, structural damage, road instability, and damaged trees are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. ReadyforWildFire.org 

The Forest Reserve Act was passed in 1891, giving the president authority to "set apart and reserve, in any state or territory having public land bearing forests . . . as public reservations." From this act was born the San Bernardino Forest Reserve, which became the San Bernardino National Forest in 1907. The San Bernardino National Forest as public land was set aside for the conservation of natural resources such as trees, water, minerals, livestock range, recreation, or wildlife. The San Bernardino National Forest is comprised of several departments and three Ranger Districts. 

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El Dorado Fire:  News Release 

      Lifting of Evacuation Advisory for Big Bear, CA  

                                                                                                         Media Contact Phone: 909-855-4233 

                                                                                                         Email: 2020.eldorado@firenet.gov 

September 21, 2020 

Yucaipa, CA- As a result of firefighters gaining additional containment on the El Dorado Fire over the past several days, Incident commanders have ordered the evacuation advisory for the Big Bear area to be lifted effective immediately. 

Please note that Highway 38 remains closed from Bryant Ave. to Lake Williams Drive in Big Bear City. Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls residents are allowed access to their communities with proper identification. 

As a reminder, the communities of Angeles Oaks, Seven Oaks and Onyx Summit remain under an Evacuation Order. Please be aware that all U.S. Forest Service roads, trails and land remain closed. 

Incident commanders wish to thank the local communities for patience, understanding and support as firefighters continue their efforts to fully contain the El Dorado Fire. 

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The fire continues to hold within existing containment lines. The fire is flanking and backing within the perimeter, with occasional short runs and tree torching when fire finds receptive fuel beds. Firefighters continue to construct containment line, attack flare ups and mop-up around the fire line. While, good progress is being made along Hwy 38, rock and debris slides of burning material along Hwy 38 still remain a threat to the fire perimeter. Firefighters remain vigilant as fire backs down slopes and burns off the fuels in the remaining areas that have not reached Hwy 38.

Procession of vehicles to escort fallen firefighter Charles Morton to Orange County mortuary

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – A U.S. Forest Service honor guard, along with the California Highway Patrol, will escort fallen Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Charles Morton in a solemn procession to a mortuary in Orange County on the morning of Tuesday, September 22, 2020.

The procession will begin at 10:30 a.m. from the main office of the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Division in San Bernardino, Calif., and end at Ferrara & Lee Colonial Mortuary in Orange, Calif.

The route will be as follows:

• Start at the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Division main office at 175 S. Lena Rd., San Bernardino, Calif. 92415
• South on Lena Rd. to Mill St.
• West on Mill St. to Waterman Ave.
• South on Waterman to I-215 South Riverside Freeway
• South to SR-91 to Imperial Highway
• South on Imperial Highway to Santiago Canyon Rd.
• West on Santiago Canyon Rd to Hewes St.
• South on Hewes St.
• Arrive at Ferrara Colonia Mortuary, 351 N. Hewes St, Orange, Calif. 92869

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CURRENT CONDITIONS:

WEATHER: Temperatures are predicted to be warm, dry, and breezy during the night operations period. High winds aloft continue to influence day time wind patterns.

ROAD CLOSURES: Highway 38 between Bryant St. to the south and Onyx Summit to the north. Residents of Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village will be allowed through with proof of residency.

EVACUATIONS: Evacuation Orders remain in effect for residents from Angelus Oaks up to Onyx Summit. Residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls have been allowed to return but, remain under an evacuation warning. There is NO evacuation directive for Big Bear residents AT THIS TIME. Please monitor official sources for any changes: San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit, and San Bernardino County Fire.

Be prepared for disaster. The Ready San Bernardino County app will help you prepare and plan for how to respond to a disaster in your area. https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/

TRAVEL NOTES: The El Dorado Fire Unified Incident Commanders continue to ask visitors for their understanding and consider rescheduling planned visits to the Big Bear area due to fire activity. Please check the Big Bear Fire Department Travel Advisory for the reasons why: https://bigbearfire.com/

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOREST CLOSURES: All four Forests in Southern California, the Cleveland, San Bernardino, Angeles, and Los Padres remain closed to all public use due to the extreme fire conditions and critical limitations on firefighting resources. Regional Order No. 20-12 Emergency Forest Closure

RETURNING HOME AFTER A WILDFIRE: Although wildfire damage can be immeasurable, the danger is not over after the flames are put out. Flash flooding and debris flows, structural damage, road instability, and damaged trees are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. ReadyforWildFire.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Zach Behrens, 909-382-2788

Loss of Big Bear Interagency Hotshot

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., September 21, 2020 – It is with deep sadness that USDA Forest Service officials on the San Bernardino National Forest announce the death of Charles Morton, a Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Squad Boss, who died while engaged in fire suppression operations on the El Dorado Fire late Thursday, September 17, 2020. 

“Charlie was a well-respected leader who was always there for his squad and his crew at the toughest times,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “Our hearts go out to Charlie’s loved ones, coworkers, friends and the Big Bear Hotshots. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.”

Charlie was born on August 7, 1981, in San Diego, California. He started his career in 2002 as Corpsman with the California Conservation Corps at the Butte Fire Center in Magalia, moving to the 2006 fire season with Firestorm Fire Suppression in Chico. His 14-year Forest Service career began in 2006 with the Truckee Interagency Hotshots on the Tahoe National Forest. Charlie then joined the San Bernardino National Forest in 2007 and worked on both the Front Country and Mountaintop Ranger Districts, for the Mill Creek Interagency Hotshots, Engine 31, Engine 19, and the Big Bear Interagency Hotshots. 

The San Bernardino National Forest is grateful for the support that has been extended through this tragic event. Cards and condolences may be sent to the Morton family at: P.O. Box 63564, Irvine, CA 92602. For FedEx and/or UPS: 1 League # 63564, Irvine, CA 92602 in care of “Support for Charlie.”

The family has asked us to share that, “Charlie is survived by his wife and daughter, his parents, two brothers, cousins, and friends. He’s loved and will be missed. May he rest easy in heaven with his baby boy.”

The cause of the El Dorado Fire is being investigated by CAL FIRE and reported as human-caused. The San Bernardino National Forest will share further information as it becomes available.