There are no fires burning within the Big Bear Valley or on the San Bernardino National Forest [confirmed again this morning, this afternoon], so that thick smoke you are seeing and smelling is drift smoke. This drift smoke is from the La Brea Fire on the Los Padres National Forest near Santa Barbara, and southwest winds are bringing that smoke to the Big Bear Valley. According … [Read more...] about No Fires in the Big Bear Valley; Southwest Winds Bringing Drift Smoke from Santa Barbara-Area La Brea Fire
Fire/Safety
Fire Protection District Introduces Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan for Big Bear Lake
A Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan is being considered for the City of Big Bear Lake. As presented by Big Bear Lake Fire Department Chief Rod Ballard in yesterday’s meeting of the City’s Fire Protection District Board (which is made up of City Council and chaired by Darrell Mulvihill), the Ready! Set! Go! program would outline preparation and proactive steps that residents … [Read more...] about Fire Protection District Introduces Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan for Big Bear Lake
No Fires in Big Bear Area; Drift Smoke Is Likely from La Brea Fire in Santa Barbara Area
There has been quite a bit of smoke at the west end of Big Bear Valley this afternoon, though this is drift smoke as there are no fires burning within Big Bear or on the San Bernardino National Forest at this time [3pm, August 13]. Officials with the Forest Service suggest that this smoke is drifting our way from the La Brea Fire, which is burning on the Los Padres National … [Read more...] about No Fires in Big Bear Area; Drift Smoke Is Likely from La Brea Fire in Santa Barbara Area
Falls Picnic Area Re-Opens With Bear-Proof Dumpsters; Forest Recreation Sites Had Been Closed in July
The Falls Picnic Area, Big Falls Trailhead and Vivian Creek Trailhead were re-opened by the San Bernardino National Forest this past weekend, following a closure on July 7 that was prompted by a bear that had been aggressive in the day use area of the facility near Forest Falls. Since the closure went into affect, the bear has not been sighted in the area, likely because the … [Read more...] about Falls Picnic Area Re-Opens With Bear-Proof Dumpsters; Forest Recreation Sites Had Been Closed in July
Six Earthquakes in Our Area This Week–So Far
We have had five earthquakes centered in our area this week, the first of which was a 2.2 magnitude tremor on Sunday morning at 10:13am, just four miles northwest of Big Bear Lake and registering a depth of nearly six miles. The 2.2 magnitude quake was followed at 10:25am on the 9th by a 1.3 magnitude quake centered six miles east southeast of Big Bear City. On Monday morning, … [Read more...] about Six Earthquakes in Our Area This Week–So Far