Big Bear Lake, CA – Big Bear News – UPDATE: 2:15PM – The Evacuation Warning has been lifted only for the communities of Baldwin Lake and Lake Williams from Hwy 38 north to Hwy 18 and Baldwin Lake east. Evacuation Orders remain in place for the Western portion of Big Bear from the dam east to Wildrose Lane. Evacuation warnings also remain in place for the remainder of Big Bear Valley excluding Baldwin Lake and Lake Williams.
The Line Fire rate of growth has been slowed substantially now measured at 37,743 acres and 21% containment. The weather has shifted from hot and dry conditions to conditions much more favorable for firefighting best described as much cooler with higher humidity. The intense smoke that has covered Big Bear has lifted and is much more tolerable shifting from Wednesdays Hazardous levels to good levels as of this morning. Smoke will be visible and air quality may be an issue as winds could shift more smoke into the area later today. The weather will continue to assist the nearly 3400 fire personnel assigned to this fire with stronger onshore flows and below average temperatures with a deepening marine layer and areas of night and morning coastal low clouds by the weekend. This morning the fire continues to burn but with much less intensity in the Santa Ana water shed area, the Bear Creek area and Angelus Oaks area.
Due to the air quality Bear Valley Community Hospital has N95 face masks they are giving away at no charge, one per person go to the Garstin Hospital front entrance and simply ask.
Road closures include Highway 330, Highway 18 from Kuffle Canyon to the Big Bear Dam and Highway 38, closed at Bryant Street to Big Bear Valley. The only route of travel for Big Bear is to/from Highway 18, Lucerne Valley.
Mountain Transit has resumed transportation services in Big Bear for the Red line, Gold line and Dial-A-Ride, with the exception for the mandatory evacuation orders that are in place. The Blue line is suspended until further notice
Smoky conditions for Erickson Heavy Lift Helicopters loading with water in Boulder Bay on the way to Bluff Mesa.
