Big Bear News – Big Bear, CA – UPDATE: 8:00PM: The line fine fire has burned 44,309 acres and is currently 76% contained. All evacuation warnings and orders remain in effect which includes a mandatory evacuation ORDER for the communities of Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks & Barton Flats. An evacuation warning is also still in place for portions of the Big Bear Valley, including sections BBC04 through BBC08 extending from the Big Bear Dam east to Erwin Lake. While the fire is no imminent threat to the Big Bear area, residents are encouraged to always be prepared.
Additionally, all schools with the Bear Valley Unified School District have been cancelled again for tomorrow, Wednesday, October 2nd.
Overall, conditions improved today on the Line Fire. We had a decent flare-up this morning north of Angelus Oaks that firefighters with the assistance of aircraft were able to knock down. Crews continue working on contingency lines and going more direct on the fire to snuff out hot spots. The northern flank closer to the Big Bear Valley is also looking much better at this time as firefighters continue on lines and dousing hot spots assisted by night vision water-dropping helicopters. Fixed-wing aircraft will also assist as needed
Thus far they have held the fire north of Highway 38 with no structures lost in Seven Oaks or Angelus Oaks, amazing work by firefighters! Highway 38 and 330 also remained closed until further notice. It appears we have reached yet another turning point on this fire in hopes they can increase containment and work on full control. There will be occasional flare-ups and drift smoke in the days and weeks ahead, but in all some great progress was made today.
UPDATE: 9:20am – The fire is now at 43,492 and 76% contained with 1701 fire personnel working the fire. Yesterday, fire behavior moderated on the Line Fire. The most active area was the Santa Ana River drainage with fire moving up the drainage to Sand Creek on the north and also near the community of Pinezanita. The fire burned to the community of Pinezanita but all residential structures were saved with quick action by firefighters. Six night-flying helicopters were dropping water in the Angelus Oaks area.
The fire is active in the Angelus Oaks area and burned up to Highway 38 just north of Angelus Oaks. There was spotting across Highway 38 but all spots were extinguished. Suppression operations are planned in the Angelus Oaks community today. Angelus Oaks was placed under an evacuation order yesterday for the safety of the community. Crews continue to go direct with fire in the Bear and Siberia creek drainage when safe to do so in this very steep area. The western and southern perimeters of the fire remain in patrol and monitor status.
The closure orders for the Forest remain in place. Highway 330 remains closed. Highway 38 is also closed. Highway 18 is currently open in both directions. Evacuation Warnings are in place for communities on the south shore including Big Bear Lake, Moonridge, Sugarloaf and south Erwin Lake as well as the dam to Wildrose Lane in Big Bear Lake. Evacuation Orders are in place for Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and Barton Flats.
The Big Bear City Airport is hosting as many as twelve or more helicopters for the Line fire as they aggressively move against the fire in the Bear Creek and Santa Ana Water Shed areas. Because of the intense helicopter traffic, the airport is closed with the exception of medical flight operations.
UPDATE 7:30am: The Line fire is currently mapped at 44,046 acres and containment is 78%. The fire is actively burning in the Santa Ana River drainage area. Yesterday the fire made a run up to a section of Highway 38 towards Seven Oaks and Angelus Oaks. Heavy helicopter activity is expected today to and from the fire and Big Bear Lake.
Evacuation Warnings are in place for communities on the south shore including Big Bear Lake, Moonridge, Sugarloaf and south Erwin Lake as well as the dam to Wildrose Lane in Big Bear Lake. Evacuation Orders are in place for Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and Barton Flats.
Highway 330 remains closed. Highway 38 is also closed. Highway 18 is currently open in both directions.
Due to the ongoing Line Fire concerns and current evacuation warnings, all Bear Valley Unified School District schools will be closed today, October 1, 2024. Superintendent Manny Marquez and staff are closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with local authorities and will provide updates as needed. Please stay tuned for any additional notifications regarding school closures or changes to the schedule.
