Brush Fire Temporarily Closes Portion of Highway 18 Near Crestline

Big Bear, Ca, January 13, 2012, 9:40am – A portion of Highway 18 in the Crestline area was temporarily closed this morning due to a vehicle going over the side of the road near Panorama Point.  The accident caused a brush fire to start at approximately 11:30pm last night.  Highway 18 is closed in both directions from 40^th Street to Highway 138, the Crestline Cutoff.  Fire crews are on scene working to contain and extinguish the small brush fire.  Caltrans will open all lanes except the #2 down bound lane for a two mile stretch around Panorama Point later today. Motorists are advised to use Highway 330 or Highway138 as alternate routes to avoid the closure this morning.