Minor Earthquake Near Big Bear City

Big Bear Valley, CA, April 2, 2011, 10:00am – A minor earthquake shook the Valley at 4:34pm on Thursday, March 31. The magnitude 3.1 event occurred 4 miles NNE of Big Bear City. There was a smaller aftershock, registering a magnitude of 2.2, about one minute later. A few more micro earthquakes have been reported at the same location on April 1 and April 2. There are no reports of any damage or injuries.

Are You Prepared For A Major Earthquake?

San Bernardino, CA, March 25, 2011, 2:30pm - Would you be able to ride it out if an earthquake hit today? San Bernardino County Fire urges residents to be prepared in the event of a catastrophic earthquake. The old saying it takes something drastic to happen to make us take notice is more prevalent than ever these days. Recent natural disasters such as the devastating earthquake in Japan, underscore the importance of individual preparedness. California’s Emergency Management System is the envy of the country. Even so, volunteers from programs like CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) may have to provide help until first responders can arrive. No single city or county can meet all the needs of its residents and businesses in a catastrophic situation. California is the leader in developing and using seismic building codes. However, earthquakes will happen and damage will occur. There is no such thing as “earthquake proof”.  According to the California Emergency Management Agency, most residents of California will not be killed or injured by the next earthquake, but they will be inconvenienced by damage to freeways, utility grids, and the telephone system. It is up to every individual, family and business to take the earthquake threat seriously and be ready.  If you are ready, you will be a resource to your family and community. What we do now, before a major earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like after the earthquake. Now is the time to prepare. Residents should be familiar with their Family Disaster Plan, evacuation routes and should have emergency supplies. Residents can download a copy of the Family Disaster Plan, and other earthquake preparedness tips from www.sbcfire.org/oes. Information on how to become a CERT member can also be found at the site. 

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Time to Check Earthquake Preparedness

Big Bear, Ca March 11, 2011 12:00 pm – Today’s earthquake in Japan reminds us to be ready.  California, like Japan is part of the Pacific Rim of Fire, an area of increased earthquake activity circling the Pacific Ocean.  Residents and business owners in the Big Bear Valley must be prepared for large earthquakes.  Regularly review your earthquake readiness.  Check for hazards in and around your building.  Secure large and heavy objects.  Keep glasses, glass jars and dishes in latched cabinets.  Brace overhead fixtures and hang mirrors away from beds or seating areas.  Before a large quake occurs, know where is most safe to stand both indoors and out.  Have your emergency communication plan in place and disaster supplies ready.  The Big Bear City Fire Department has additional information and tips on their website at bigbearcityfire.org.  They are inviting all residents to brush up on their preparedness skills by checking the website and making their homes and businesses more earthquake safe.

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Minor Earthquake Felt in Big Bear Valley

Big Bear, CA, March 8, 2011, 8:30pm – A minor earthquake occurred at 8:17pm on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. The magnitude 3.0 event occurred 1 mile  NE of Big Bear City, CA. The hypocentral depth is 4 miles. There were no immediate reports of any damage or injuries.

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Shake Out, Dont Freak Out

Big Bear, Ca, October 20, 2010, 5:00pm – Join KBHR on Thursday October 21st at 10:00am and 10:21 for the largest earthquake drill in California, the Great California Shakeout.  Millions of people will be participating statewide in the drill, including all of the schools, and fire agencies in the Big Bear Valley.  Fire agencies remind you to duck, cover and hold in the case of an earthquake.  DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!), Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, drop to the ground in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. DO NOT try to run to another room just to get under a table.  The following is what not to do. DO NOT get in a doorway! An early earthquake image of California is a collapsed adobe home with the door frame as the only standing part. From this came our belief that a doorway is the safest place to be during an earthquake. In modern houses and buildings, doorways are no safer, and they do not protect you from flying or falling objects. Get under a table instead! DO NOT run outside! Trying to run in an earthquake is dangerous, as the ground is moving and you can easily fall or be injured by debris or glass. Running outside is especially dangerous, as glass, bricks, or other building components may be falling. You are much safer to stay inside and get under a table. Join KBHR on Thursday October 21st at either 10:00 or 10:21 to participate in the Great California Shakeout, and don’t forget to Duck, Cover and Hold.

Big Bear Feels 5.4 Quake in the Desert; 2.1 Magnitude Tremor Near Big Bear City

Big Bear Valley, CA — Yesterday evening’s big rattler, centered near Borrego Springs at 4:53pm, has (since our 5pm newscast) been downgraded to a magnitude 5.4 earthquake, per the U.S. Geological Survey, and has been followed by countless aftershocks in the area about 25 miles south of Palm Springs. Specific to the Big Bear Valley, we did have one earthquake centered about four miles north of Big Bear City last night, July 7, at 8:51pm; this quake registered a magnitude of 2.1. Per the County’s Office of Emergency Services, Wednesday’s 5.4 magnitude tremor wasn’t “the Big One,” but don’t let yourself be unprepared when it does occur. Earthquakes can strike at any time and it is always wise, notes the OES, to have an emergency supplies kit, a family disaster plan, and a supply of food and water for at least three days and, ideally, two weeks or more. For more information on earthquake preparedness, see our earlier “Quake Up Call” story, or visit the website of the Office of Emergency Services. Additional earthquake stories can be accessed by using the “Earthquake News” tab below.
Update: Since posting this story, we have had a 1.6 magnitude earthquake, centered five miles north northwest of Big Bear City, at 10:32 am July 8.

Spring’s Final Weekend Brings More Earthquakes Centered North of Big Bear City

Big Bear City, CA — We had a few more earthquakes in our area over the weekend, starting with a 1.4 magnitude quake on Friday night at 11:30pm; this one, like most tremors in our area in recent weeks, was centered a couple miles north of Big Bear City. Just after 3:30pm on Saturday afternoon, we had an earthquake of a 2.1 magnitude, also centered a few miles north of Big Bear City. Sunday, Father’s Day, started with a rattle given two quakes, a 1.3 just before 1am and a 1.5 magnitude quake just after 1:30am on Sunday morning, June 20. Given the frequency of bigger earthquakes in the Southern California area in recent weeks, all are reminded to be earthquake prepared for when, not if, a large quake rocks the Big Bear Valley. Preparedness suggestion from the Big Bear City Fire Department include keeping an emergency supply of food and water available, as well as a battery-operated radio and a first aid kit. And, as San Bernardino County Fire Chief Pat Dennen had advised KBHR listeners, prior to his recent retirement, “It’s all just common sense, but, visually observe your home. Make sure there isn’t a cupboard or something that could block the door; make sure you have cash at hand, because the ATMs might not work; and have good shoes around, in case there’s broken glass after an earthquake.”
Update: We’ve since had a 1.5 magnitude earthquake, just before 2pm on June 21 and centered three miles north of Big Bear City.
Update as of June 22: We have continued to have tremors in our area–however, two tremors last night were not in the vicinity of Big Bear City, as has been the case for countless small quakes in the last few weeks, but these were centered four miles northwest of the City of Big Bear Lake. At about 10:20 and 10:30 last night (Monday), two quakes in this area registered magnitudes of 2.0 and 2.3, per the U.S. Geological Survey. This morning (Tuesday) at 7:40am, we had another, centered four miles north of Big Bear City, which was of a 1.7 magnitude.

Big Bear City Keeps Rockin’; More Earthquakes in Our Area June 9

Big Bear City, CA — We’ve continued to have earthquakes centered in our area, most of them about four miles north of Big Bear City. Today’s quakes included a 1.9 magnitude tremor in the in the 11am hour and a 2.4 magnitude quake just after 5pm. There have been over 50 quakes centered just north of the Big Bear Valley this week, including those of a 3.2 and 3.3 magnitude on Monday. All Big Bear Valley residents are encouraged to be earthquake prepared—you can visit our “Quake Up” Call story for preparedness details, which include keeping an emergency supply of food and water available, as well as a battery-operated radio and a first aid kit.
Update: Subsequent earthquakes in our area include a 2.4 magnitude quake, also centered four miles north of Big Bear City, on Friday, June 10 at 5:09pm, and a 1.7 magnitude quake on June 12 at 7:17pm. We will generally post notices of those earthquakes that register a 1.6 magnitude or greater and are centered in, or within a few miles of, the Big Bear Valley.
Update as of June 15: Though it seems to be earthquake season, we have only had one tremor in our area in recent days. This quake, of a 1.6 magnitude, occurred at exactly 10am today (Tuesday morning), and was centered five miles north northwest of Big Bear City.

Big Bear City Area Home to 50 Earthquakes in Last 24 Hours; 2.6 Magnitude Tremor in 3am Hour

Big Bear City, CA — Since yesterday morning (June 7), we’ve had about 50 earthquakes centered in our area, most of them about four miles north of Big Bear City. The two largest quakes were yesterday in the 1 o’clock hour and registered magnitudes of 3.2 and 3.3, per the U.S. Geological Survey. Since the midnight hour today, June 8, there have been another 25 or so earthquakes centered just north of Big Bear City (as of 9am), with several of these in the range of a 2.4 magnitude, the largest of which was a 2.6 magnitude quake at about 3:15 this morning. Per the latest from the Big Bear City Fire Department, there are still no reports of injury or damage resulting from this series of quakes. Still, all Big Bear Valley residents are encouraged to be earthquake prepared—you can visit our “Quake Up” Call story for preparedness details, which include keeping an emergency supply of food and water available, as well as a battery-operated radio and a first aid kit.
Update: In the 24 hours since this story was posted, there have been another seven earthquakes centered north of Big Bear City. The largest of these was of a 2.1 magnitude at 11:29am June 8.

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