CURRENT CONDITIONS:

Last night, the El Dorado fire continued to slowly back down at low intensity into a retardant line placed along Hwy 38 in the vicinity of Angelus Oaks. Ground crews were able to directly attack the fire utilizing hose lines to protect the community.

Structure protection continues from Pinezanita to Jenks Lake by increasing defensible space, hose line placement and fire line construction. The road has been widened to create a better fire break and assist fire resources with containing the fire south of Hwy 38.

The fire reached Forsee Creek overnight and continues to burn northeast towards San Bernardino Peak as the upcanyon winds align with topography.

There are no active spot fires that have crossed Hwy 38.  We understand that many residents may be looking at Modis online.  Modis is an instrument aboard the Terra and Aqua EOS Satellites and measure thermal and infrared detections. This can create confusion as anything emitting heat registers in Modis, including smoke AND fire-fighting equipment.  What communities are perceiving as spot fires across Hwy 38 is likely smoke or equipment operating in the area.  As of this update, the El Dorado Fire has NOT crossed Highway 38.  Please know that the firefighters working in this area are monitoring this possibility very carefully.  Fortunately today, the high elevation winds in the fire area are predicted to blow in the opposite direction back towards San Bernardino Peak.

WEATHER:

A high-pressure weather system remains over the fire resulting in winds from the southwest. The weather remains dry and hot and the fire will align with topography and is expected to burn actively upslope towards the San Bernardino Peak (northeast) towards the Lake Fire scar.

The sounds and smells of fire bring different images to different people. The wildlands does not have to be a villain. Fire that is low in intensity and does not grow out of control benefits our wildlands and is actually vital to the survival of several species, and that is surprising since fire is one of our greatest tools and one of our most destructive forces. So what is fire? Is it enemy or friend?

Fire removes low-growing underbrush, cleans the forest floor of debris, opens it up to sunlight, and nourishes the soil. Reducing this competition for nutrients allows established trees to grow stronger and healthier. History teaches us that hundreds of years ago forests had fewer, yet larger, healthier trees. Forests today have more trees than in the past, but they are not as large or healthy. Established trees have to compete with undergrowth for nutrients and space. Fire clears the weaker trees and debris and returns health to the forest. Clearing brush from the forest floor with low intensity flames can help prevent large damaging wildfires that spread out of control and completely destroy forests. Under optimum conditions, when wildfires do start, the result is a low intensity fire that remains on the ground burning grasses and vegetation, but causing less damage to trees.

Wildlands provide habitat and shelter to forest animals and birds. Fire clears wildlands of heavy brush, leaving room for new grasses, herbs and regenerated shrubs that provide food and habitat for many wildlife species. When fire removes a thick stand of shrubs, the water supply is increased. With fewer plants absorbing water, streams are fuller, benefiting other types of plants and animals.

Fire kills diseases and insects that prey on trees and provides valuable nutrients that enrich the soil. More trees die each year from insect infestation and disease than from fire. Many forests struggle against diseases such as pitch canker and bark beetle infestations – pests that destroy the part of the tree that delivers nutrients to the roots, leaves and needles. Fire kills pests and keeps the forest healthy. Vegetation that is burned by fire provides a rich source of nutrients that nourish remaining trees.

Change is important to a healthy forest. Some species of trees and plants are actually fire dependent. They must have fire every 3-25 years in order for life to continue. Some trees have fire resistant bark and cones that require heat to open and release seeds for regeneration. Chaparral plants, including manzanita, chamise and scrub oak, also require intense heat for seed germination. These plants actually encourage fire by having leaves that are covered with flammable resins. Without fire, these trees and plants would eventually succumb to old age with no new generations to carry on their legacy.

Complements of Jay Nichols, CAIIMT13, W-5 Cold Springs Fire, CA-NOD

Last night, the El Dorado Fire continued to slowly back down towards Hwy 38 in the vicinity of Angelus Oaks. The fire burned at low intensity as desired, and fire crews are working on widening the defensible space on Hwy 38.

The fire did burn to a dozer line at Spruce Ave in Angelus Oaks.  It did not reach any structures.  The containment line held and firefighters stopped the fire.

A high pressure weather system is over the fire today resulting in winds from the southwest. The weather remains dry and hot and the fire will align with topography and is expected to burn actively upslope towards the San Bernardino Peak (northeast) towards the Lake Fire scar.

There is NO evacuation directive for Big Bear residents AT THIS TIME. Please monitor official sources for any changes including the San Bernardino National Forest information listed at the top of this update, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, the CAL Fire San Bernardino Unit and San Bernardino County Fire.

Along Hwy 38, the fire activity continues to slowly back down the slope and burn eastward along Mill Creek. The fire line behind Forest Falls continues to hold and firefighters continue to  work in and around this community. Fire crews continue working to secure the fire line along Mill Creek from Vivian Creek to last month’s Apple Fire scar.  

All residents waiting to return home:  we ask for your continued patience. Our work in and around your community is not complete yet. We are re-evaluating this daily with the utility companies, CalTrans, CHP and San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. We ask that you continue to support the firefighters by staying out of the way until we can open your neighborhood safely for you.

Firefighting efforts continued today as the El Dorado Fire progressed slowly downslope towards Angelus Oaks. Fire managers are pleased with the low-intensity burn in this area.  If conditions change – especially a shift in wind direction or speed – firefighters are prepared to defend Angelus Oaks should the fire begin burning more aggressively.   The fire is getting close to Highway 38 but has not reached it.  At this rate of fire progression, firefighters will use Highway 38 as a fuel-break and halt the spread of the fire. 

There is equipment all along Highway 38 as firefighters work to preparing defensible space along the road. A contingency line has been put in place to direct the fire into the Lake Fire scar and away from the Barton Flats area.  Air resources worked throughout the day making retardant drops to strengthen containment lines in this area. 

Along Hwy 38 near Mountain Home Village, the fire activity continues to slowly back down the slope and burn eastward along Mill Creek on the south side. The fire line behind Forest Falls is holding and firefighters continue to work in and around this community. Across the Mill Creek streambed at the eastern end of the canyon, fire crews are securing the fire line along Mill Creek from Vivian Creek to last month’s Apple Fire scar. 

There is NO evacuation directive for Big Bear residents AT THIS TIME. Please monitor official sources for any changes including the San Bernardino National Forest information listed at the top of this update, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, the CAL Fire San Bernardino Unit and San Bernardino County Fire.

All residents waiting to return home, we ask for your continued patience.  Our work in and around your community is not complete yet.  Power lines are still down and we ask that you remain evacuated and support the firefighters by staying out of the way.

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

The El Dorado Fire remains very dynamic as the terrain driven fire aligns with the predominant wind influences in the area. Fire activity slowly burned down slope towards the Angelus Oaks community overnight allowing fire resources the opportunity to secure indirect and direct handlines in preparation for active fire potential today.

Firefighters are poised and ready to conduct firing operations around Angeles Oaks if needed.  Fire crews are in position to directly attack the fire with both hand lines and hose lines.

Predicted winds have changed over the fire today with a southwest wind influence at 8 to 10 mph gusting to 20 mph over 6,000 feet elevation. The weather remains dry and hot and the fire will align with topography and burn actively upslope towards the San Bernardino Peak (northeast) towards the Lake Fire scar.

There is NO evacuation directive for Big Bear residents AT THIS TIME. Please monitor official sources for any changes including the San Bernardino National Forest information listed at the top of this update, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, the CAL Fire San Bernardino Unit and San Bernardino County Fire.

Along Hwy 38, the fire activity continues to slowly back down the slope and burn eastward along Mill Creek. The fire line behind Forest Falls continues to hold and firefighters continue to  work in and around this community. Fire crews continue working to secure the fire line along Mill Creek from Vivian Creek to last month’s Apple Fire scar.  

The Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region 5 has extended the Emergency Forest Closure Order that was announced on September 7th.  This Emergency closure will be extended through September 24, and effects several National Forests within the State of California, including but not limited to, the San Bernardino, Angelus, Los Padres, and the Cleveland National Forests. The decision is re-evaluated daily based on fire danger and drawdown of firefighting resources, which are the conditions requiring the closure. 

The Forest Closure Order prohibits nearly all entry onto the National Forest, including hiking trails, driving forest roads, hunting, bird watching and nearly any other entry.  Driving state highways to access the mountain communities is allowed.  
 
A Regional Fire Restriction Order is also in place, which makes it illegal to use any sort of Campfire within the National Forest.

The El Dorado Fire burned actively throughout the day as the topography aligned with upslope wind influence allowing for active head fire runs. Firefighters have built a contingency line between the fire and the Angelus Oaks community to plan for this possibility. Currently, the fire is near Angelus Oaks but burning actively upslope towards San Bernardino Peak (northwest) towards the Lake Fire scar.

Fire activity will remain active overnight due to dry and hot weather with limited relative humidity recovery and a down canyon wind influence. Firefighters are poised and ready to conduct firing operations around Angeles Oaks if needed.  The fire may back downslope gently towards the community. Fire crews are in position to directly attack the fire with both hand lines and hose lines.

There is NO evacuation directive for Big Bear residents at this time!!!

Along Hwy 38, the fire activity continues to slowly back down the slope and burn eastward along Mill Creek. The fire line behind Forest Falls continues to hold and firefighters continue to  work in and around this community. Fire crews continue working to secure the fire line along Mill Creek from Vivian Creek to last month’s Apple Fire scar.  

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

The El Dorado Fire burned actively overnight and has become established into Mountain Home Creek. Any remaining residents in Angelus Oaks are asked to evacuate NOW.   Firefighters have built a contingency line between the fire and the Angelus Oaks community to plan for this possibility. Currently, the fire is near Angelus Oaks but burning actively upslope towards San Bernardino Peak (northwest) as it aligns with canyons and upslope wind influence. The weather remains dry and hot with unstable air over the fire area. Increased smoke will be visible from the surrounding communities.

Fire resources will continue building indirect handlines and directly attacking the fire while air resources support the efforts on the ground with water and retardant drops to slow the fire progression.  Structure protection continues in the Angelus Oaks area.

Along Hwy 38, the fire continues to back down the slope and burn eastward along Mill Creek. The fire continues to actively creep down to the Forest Falls community. The fire line behind Forest Falls continues to hold and firefighters continue to  work in and around this community. Fire crews continue working to extend the fire line along Mill Creek from Vivian Creek to last month’s Apple Fire scar.

Residents of Mountain Home, we ask for your patience.  Our work in and around your community is not complete yet and we ask that you stay away from your homes for a little longer.

El Dorado Fire:  September 13, 2020 PM Update

Public Information:                         San Bernardino National Forest:                Twitter: @SanBernardinoNF

Phone: (909) 383-5688                  www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf                                  Facebook: SanBernardinoNF            

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7148                                                          

INCIDENT INFORMATION

UNIFIED COMMAND: CAL FIRE BDU/Yucaipa, San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County Fire, San Bernardino County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol

Start Date: 9/05/2020

Location: Oak Glen/West Yucaipa in

San Bernardino County CA

Size: 14,283 acres

Percent containment:  44%

Cause: Human-caused

ASSIGNED RESOURCES:

Hand Crews: 19

Helicopters: 11

Engines: 205   

Dozers: 17

Water Tenders: 20

Total Personnel: 1,319

                                                                                                                 Injuries:  10

Structures Threatened:  1,047                                   Residence: Damaged 2 Destroyed: 4

                                                                                    Other Str:  Damaged 4  Destroyed: 6

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

North side of El Dorado Fire Perimeter:

The El Dorado Fire had almost no growth over the past 24 hours as fire fighters and aircraft continued the hard work of maintaining the perimeter. Hand crews cut line while good visibility enabled air support resources to reduce momentum of the fire with water and retardant as flare ups and isolated torching continued in interior islands.

Excellent progress is being made to contain the fire north of Highway 38. Ground crews continue constructing a contingency line between Hwy 38 and the 2015 Lake Fire burn scar.

The hand line behind Forest Falls continues to hold and firefighters continue patrol and mop up efforts. Firefighters remain in position to provide structure protection with direct hose lines while increasing defensible space. Fire crews continue working to extend the fire line along Mill Creek from Vivian Creek to last month’s Apple Fire scar.

South side of El Dorado Fire Perimeter:

Smoke will remain visible in the Yucaipa, Oak Glen and Mentone areas as unburned fuels within the fire perimeter continue to burn.  Fire crews continue to patrol this area and will extinguish hot spots.

WEATHER:

The weather remains hot and dry with upslope winds during the afternoons and downslope winds in the evening. Predictive Services division of the Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center has issued a fuels advisory for excessively dry fuels throughout California due to drought conditions and hot temperatures.

ROAD CLOSURES: 

•  Highway 38 is closed between Bryant St. to the south and Onyx to the north  

EVACUATIONS:

Evacuation Orders:

The evacuation orders, warnings and restrictions are now lifted for all areas in Yucaipa, Oak Glen and Mentone. Please use caution for emergency personnel working in the area.  Evacuation Orders Remain In Effect for Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, Angelus Oaks and Seven Oaks.  Please see map link:  https://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9b818cd8a7a24c9a96361f5fc3be0803

TRAVEL NOTES:

The El Dorado Fire Unified Incident Commanders continue to ask visitors to 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/

SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST RECREATION CLOSURES:

The entire Forest was closed to all public use at 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7.  Please see https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD799192 for more information.