Big Bear Valley, CA — Our convoy of fuel, food and medical supplies made it up the mountain on Highway 38 yesterday, though it took several hours, and though the big rigs made it to Big Bear by the early evening, there were some delays as at least one of the trucks got stuck on the Deadman’s Curve portion of Big Bear Boulevard in Big Bear City. Still, food and fuel are here—yet, for those still bermed in and in need of groceries, local markets will be open today, including Easy’s General Store in Sugarloaf, Community Market in Big Bear City, Sol Food Market in the Alpine Center in Big Bear Lake, and the Boulder Bay Market at Big Bear Lake’s western-most end.
With regard to our roads today [Tuesday, January 26], per the California Highway Patrol this morning, all travelers will be allowed both up and down the mountain on all three routes, under an R2 restriction—however, there are restrictions for big rigs and buses. (See the KBHR Big Bear Roads Conditions page for details, and updates through the day. Update: Highway 38 closed, from Lake Williams to Angelus Oaks, as of 11:40am and until at least 2pm, to allow for the transport of a “wide load.” This load includes an oversized vehicle for fire department personnel, to repair the radio equipment atop a tower at Onyx Summit. Update: Highway 38 re-opened at 1:30pm.) This R2 chain requirement means that all two-wheel drive vehicles must have chains on, four-wheel drives with snow tires on all four wheels are required to carry chains. Snow conditions do remain in effect so, still, no parking on city streets.
In other good news today, Postmaster Javier Fregoso of the Big Bear Lake Post Office says, “We got mail!” Mail for Big Bear Valley postal customers was received Monday night but, due to the extreme volume (given that this is the first mail delivery since last Wednesday), there is no estimated completion time for mail to reach your mailbox. In the meantime, customers who have street delivery mailboxes or cluster boxes, are reminded that these will need to be cleared of snow in order for mail to be left for you. Questions on mail delivery can be directed to your local post office: Big Bear Lake at 866-1035, Big Bear City at 585-7132, Fawnskin at 866-3245.
Also, UPS delivery service is available today, also for the first time since last Wednesday. UPS trucks and services will be stationed at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center (located on Big Bear Boulevard at Division) until 6pm. Customers with packages will be called by UPS, though those with questions can call 1/800-PICK-UPS. Update: UPS will continue at the Convention Center, 8am to 6pm, through Friday, January 29. Update: As most packages have been picked up or are now deliverable, given improved roads, UPS will no longer be stationed at the Convention Center, as of 4pm Thursday, January 28.
Also, no school today [Tuesday], as per the press release from the Bear Valley Unified School District, which reads: “Due to the road conditions throughout the Big Bear Valley and the facts that the bus routes and bus stops are currently too narrow for the buses to maneuver, and for students to wait for their buses safely, along with the difficulty in removing snow from school sites, and having the sites safe for student attendance, Bear Valley Unified School District will again be calling a snow day for Tuesday, January 26. The County, City, and our own maintenance crews are working diligently around the clock to make the roads safe for bus travel and the sites safe for student attendance. The school district office will open at 12pm on Tuesday, January 26. The telephone number for the school district office is 909/866-4631. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.”
Other community notes and cancellations
As of Monday evening’s meeting of the City Council of Big Bear Lake, the Council under the direction of Mayor Liz Harris, ratified a State of Emergency for the City of Big Bear Lake.
The DWP Board meeting to take place this morning has been canceled.
The Board of Directors meeting for the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District to be held Wednesday evening will instead take place on Saturday, January 30 at 9am, per President Dr. Christopher Fagan. The open session meeting, to be held at the hospital on Garstin Drive, may include review of candidates applying for the director post vacated by Bill Speyers.
The Resort Association Board meeting of Thursday is postponed until February 4 at 7am.
The Big Bear Chamber of Commerce‘s Chamber Night at Wyatt’s for Wednesday has been postponed.
San Bernardino Valley College classes at Big Bear High School are canceled for this evening.
