UPDATE 10:30 am The Fire was contained at 1.5 acres and is in the mop up phase and smoke may be visible from time to time as the mop up continues.
This Morning around 7:00 am a fire was reported near the Castle Rock area in the south western region of the Big Bear Valley. The Forest Service and Big Bear Fire Department was notified and dispatched to the scene. Currently the fire is reported to be 1-3 acres burning in the Bluff Lake area of Big Bear Valley south of the Big Bear Dam in the vicinity of the Bluff Mesa Campground. There is no threat to the city of Big Bear Lake. The fire is burning fuel described as deep and duffy with areas of fuel light modification with occasional torching of existing vegetation piles causing momentary enlarged plumes of smoke.
One Helicopter and 11 engines with 2 water tenders are on hand along with hand crews from the Big Bear Fire department and the San Bernardino Forest Service a total of 80 personnel are assigned. The 24 hour staffing of the Air Attach unit helped with a quick response. The threat is low and fire crews have a hose line is around the fire as they are mopping up.
The fire restrictions are effective on all San Bernardino National Forest
Building, maintaining a wood or Charcoal campfire or stove fire is prohibited. A valid California Campfire Permit is needed for either a propane, gas cooking stove or lantern. Smoking is prohibited with few exceptions. Recreational shooting is prohibited, including within the public shooting ranges. Persons engaged in lawful hunting are exempt from this prohibition. Welding with an open flame is prohibited. An approved spark arrester is required for all off-highway vehicles.
