Third Alarm Fire At Lucerne Valley Supermarket

Lucerne Valley, CA, May 11, 2012, 8:00am - On Wednesday, May 9, at about 11:30am San Bernardino County Fire received numerous calls stating the Lucerne Valley Market was on fire and explosions could be heard coming from the back of the building. Six fire engines and two truck companies responded from San Bernardino County Fire, along with three engines from assisting agencies. When firefighters arrived on scene five minutes later, a partially enclosed attached work area and large metal rafters filled with content were fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters quickly contained the fire and it was completely extinguished within 90 minutes. The explosions initially reported were caused when the fire reached an electrical transformer. Store employees safely evacuated everyone from inside the store, and occupants of a small strip mall next to the market were also evacuated. The fire is believed to have started in the outside work area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by San Bernardino County Fire Investigators. Preliminary content and structure damage is estimated at $300,000. The store was closed because of the fire and was able to reopen on Thursday, May 10 at 3:00pm.

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This Week Is Wildfire Awareness Week

San Bernardino, CA, May 8, 2012, 8:00am  – Don’t let the recent cool weather fool you, the sun will shine and the heat of summer will be here soon. Due to the amount of rain this past winter, grasses and weeds will flourish and quickly dry out, creating extreme fire danger. This week (May 6-12) is National Wildfire Awareness Week. San Bernardino County Fire reminds residents to do their part in understanding fire danger by exercising extreme caution around dry, flammable vegetation. Wildfire safety isn’t limited to those who live near wild lands, it’s for anyone camping or spending time in these locations as well. Contrary to common perception, a wildfire does not have to burn everything in its path. In fact, clearing property of debris and maintaining landscaping are important, yet simple, first steps for homeowners. Residents can do their part and take action today that will lessen the risk of damage if a wildfire occurs. To learn more on how you can be prepared for a wildfire, go to big-bear-news-dot-com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ü  Create a defensible area, firebreaks that divert flames around property, by clearing weeds and dry grass at least 100 feet around your home.  Property on sloped areas should be cleared at least 100 feet as well, as wind-fed flames can race up hills and mountainsides quickly.

ü  Store flammable liquids in approved safety cans away from occupied buildings.

ü  Keep propane tanks clear of vegetation.

ü  Keep all combustibles, such as firewood, lawn furniture, picnic tables, etc., away from structures.

ü  Clean rain gutters regularly to avoid leaf and needle accumulation.

ü  Clear vegetation and other flammable materials from beneath decks or other wooden structures.

ü  Remove tree limbs and vegetation that overhang the roof.

ü  Remove all branches lower than 6 feet.

ü  Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.

ü  Dispose of stove or fireplace ash and charcoal briquettes after soaking them in a metal pail of water for 24 hours.

ü  Keep garden hose connected to faucet.

ü  Review your home escape plan with your family & have a fire drill exercise.

ü  Ensure address is clearly visible from the street.

 

To learn more on how you can be prepared for a wildfire, go to big-bear-news-dot-com

 

go to www.sbcfire.org and click on the Ready, Set, Go icon.  You can also contact your local fire department for further information and free property inspections. San Bernardino County Fire Department wishes you a safe summer.

A Single Structure Fire Reported Today on Shay Road in Big Bear City

Big Bear City, CA, May 2, 2012, 12:00pm - UPDATED: May 2, 2012, 4:00pm – Preliminary reports regarding a fire in the east end of the valley this morning have indicated that shortly after 10:00am today, firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire at 1356 Shay Road in Big Bear City.  The fire was contained to a single-family residence and it’s surrounding vegetation and was initially reported by staff members of the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency as they were returning to their offices located near Shay Road.  Kim Booth, Jennifer McCuller, Sonia Kawa and Nikki Flores assisted the male resident of the burning house by reuniting him with his dog.  In an effort to retrieve possessions from the house, he had smoke inhalation and minor exposure to the flames.  Along with neighbors on Shay Road, they did what they could to calm the man as his house was fully engulfed in flames.  The four BBARWA women waited on scene until firefighters arrived.  The structure was ultimately deemed a complete loss.  At this time, the nature of the house fire and the name of the resident is unknown.  The fire is under investigation.

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Firefighters Test Readiness For Fire Season

San Bernardino, CA, April 30, 2012, 8:00am - The CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit is conducting field exercises this week. The purpose of the exercises is to test firefighter readiness for this year’s high fire hazard period. The exercises create opportunities for the firefighters and fire crews to work together and promote teamwork and safety. The training will be conducted from 7am to 3pm daily through Thursday, west of Sierra Avenue, north of the I-15 Freeway. San Bernardino Unit Firefighters and fire crews will rotate through the exercises each day. They’ll be tested on several areas including a timed hike, fire shelter deployment, progressive hose lays, and hand line construction. The fire crew buses will also be inspected for mechanical and operational readiness. The four-day training period allows the Chief Officers to observe the level of readiness and safety awareness of the firefighters and the fire crews.

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CSD and Big Bear Lake Fire Agencies Agree to Joint Powers

Big Bear Lake, CA April 12, 2012 3:00 pm – The fire agencies of Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City have taken the first step in what has been described as an eventual merger of the two agencies.  Most of the general public is unaware that there are as many as 5 different fire agencies in Big Bear Valley.  The Big Bear Lake Fire District and the Big Bear City CSD Fire Agency are the most visible having the largest local group of paramedics-firefighters, equipment and fire stations in Big Bear. On Wednesday morning during a joint meeting of the CSD and the Fire District at Hofert Hall it was agreed to by unanimous vote from both boards that a Joint Powers Agreement would be drafted in order to form a new Joint Powers Authority.  As a JPA each agency will keep their autonomy but will begin to combine some future equipment acquisitions such as laptop computers, heart monitors as well as communications equipment.  The mission of this new JPA would be to maintain present service levels, save additional tax funds, share rescue equipment and perhaps directly employ additional personnel.   In order to better assess the viability of this JPA and possible merger Paul McDonald from C.M. Crinis and Company evaluated the fiscal condition of both fire agencies and reported that both agencies were healthy and that in his opinion there were no financial roadblocks keeping the JPA from moving forward.  In addition Mr. Mcdonald did caution that current unfunded retirement programs and the threat of future obligations need to be addressed sooner than later.   Both fire agencies are represented by the law firm Best Best and Krieger and so the boards were presented with the legal benefits as well as potential pitfalls. The attorneys concluded that a new Joint Power Authority was the best vehicle for moving forward.  If the next step is a complete merger of the agencies then it would need to be approved by the Local Area Formation Commission better known as LAFCO.  A staff member from LAFCO was on the agenda to speak about the merger process but was unable to attend due to snowy road conditions.  Fire Chief of both agencies, Jeff Willis, went on to explain that the LAFCO review process would take at least 9 months to complete and that with the JPA and additional time the labor unit differences could be reconciled.  As the final vote was tallied a spontaneous round of applause broke out and was then echoed with positive comments from the east and west side of the board room.  Fire Chief Willis said that he appreciated the cooperation of both boards and that Big Bear is embarking on a historical journey.  Once the Joint Powers Agreement is drafted it will take, at a later meeting, the approval of both boards to ratify it and move forward.   It was reiterated that persons needing fire or medical assistance would not see any change in service.

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Residential Fire In Hesperia Kills One, Injures Two Others

Hesperia, CA, April 10, 2012, noon - On April 9, at about 2:00am, San Bernardino County Firefighters responded to a residential fire in Hesperia and found a single story home fully engulfed in flames with the roof collapsing. A male resident and his mother were able to get out, they were in the front yard and had been injured. At that time, firefighters were unable to enter the home because the fire was too intense. After the fire was put out they found the body of the resident’s wife inside deceased. At this time it is unknown if there were any working smoke detectors inside the home. The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11pm and 7am, when most families are sleeping. The San Bernardino County Fire Department reminds you to have working smoke alarms in your home and change the batteries at least once a year. You should also practice an escape plan frequently. For more information on planning your escape, visit www.sbcfire.org.

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Community Emergency Response Team Meeting

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 19, 2012, noon - The Big Bear Valley Community Emergency Response Team (BBV-CERT) will have its  first meeting of the year on Monday, March 26, 2011.  The meeting will start at 6:30pm at the Bear Valley Senior Center in Big Bear Lake.  The training will be reviewing how the Big Bear Valley is divided into four Divisions, and within each of the Divisions are neighborhood teams. Attendance is open to all CERT members and any Big Bear Valley residents interested in learning more about CERT and its activities. All members will receive a CERT manual on a CD with all the Big Bear Valley CERT information and forms. The Big Bear Valley Community Emergency Response Team is a community based group of volunteers that in times of disaster are prepared to respond to emergency situations in the Big Bear valley, fanning out in their neighborhoods, assessing damage, shutting of any potential gas or water leaks, and assisting with emergency services. CERT members can give critical support to first responders, and provide immediate assistance to victims. The next CERT training class is scheduled for the week of April 2, 2012. To register call the Big Bear City Fire Department at 585-2362.

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Mountain Travel Tips For Driving In Winter Weather

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 16, 2012, noon - Winter storms have been sporadic this year, but K-BEAR Meteorologist Ben Brissey says there’s a big one projected for this weekend that could bring several inches of snow. So if you must get in your car and travel anywhere in the mountains this weekend, Caltrans has a few helpful tips to make your drive a safe and enjoyable one. Fill up your gas tank and always have tire chains with you. Mountain weather is unpredictable and changes without warning. Bring water, food, warm clothing, sturdy shoes or boots, and necessary medications. Bring a charged cell phone and your cell phone charger for your vehicle. Bring a flashlight or battery operated radio just in case.  Make sure your tires are in good condition and your vehicle is running well. If you need to install tire chains, use the chain control areas or turnouts near chain control locations – never block the roadway or put chains on next to the road. Never play in the snow next to the roadway – it is dangerous for you, your kids, and other motorists. And remember, always make room and slow down for Caltrans equipment, CHP vehicles, and emergency responders. For the latest weather and road information listen to 93.3FM or visit www.bigbearnews.com.

Multiple Vehicle Burglaries In Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 9, 2012, 8:00am - On Thursday, March 8, 2012 the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station received reports of eight vehicle burglaries from unlocked cars between midnight and 7:00am at various locations in the City of Big Bear Lake. Investigation of the burglaries is ongoing with deputies and detectives following up on all leads. Tiffany Swantek, at the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station says you can minimize your chances of becoming a victim by taking a few simple steps.
~ Keep car doors, windows and sunroofs closed and locked.
~ Never leave valuables in your vehicle.
~ Park your vehicle in well-lit areas.
~ Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
~ Do not leave cash or change in the cup holder.
~ Mark all of your electronic equipment (i.e. GPS units and MP3 players) with a personal identification number and keep a list of the serial numbers, makes and model numbers of all your electronic equipment. If your property is stolen, this will help you recover  This will help in the recovery of your property if have anything stolen. Anyone with information on the recent vehicle burglaries should contact the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at 866-0100.  Information can also be reported anonymously by calling 1 (800) 78-CRIME.

Spring Forward And Check Your Smoke Alarms

Big Bear City, CA, March 6, 2012, noon - On Sunday, March 11, 2012, at 2:00am you need to once again set your clocks ahead one hour, and it’s also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms provide an early warning for you and your family to get out and stay out. Every home needs at least one smoke alarm on each level of the home and close to sleeping areas. A smoke alarm is the first indication that there is a problem and everyone needs to know what the alarm sounds like. In a fire, smoke and deadly gases usually spread farther and faster than heat, which is why a smoke alarm is critical for your family’s safety. There are two main types of smoke alarms to choose from, ionization for flaming fires and photoelectric for smoldering fires. For the best protection, you should have both types in your home. Some smoke alarms have a 10-year lithium battery and there is NO need to change the batteries every year. After 10 years you replace the smoke alarm with a new one. The recommended time frame to replace all smoke alarms is every ten years. In addition to having smoke alarms, make sure you prepare and practice a home escape plan. Have an outside meeting place so everyone knows to go outside and stay out. A working smoke alarm can decrease a family’s risk of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent. Other safety issues are to check your home heating and cooling systems, keep an eye on items cooking, check electrical cords and lighting, and keep heat sources away from upholstered furniture, mattresses and bedding. Do a little fire safety spring cleaning and make sure your home is safe all year long.

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