Despite last week’s warnings to be earthquake ready (given the number of tremors near the San Andreas Fault in the Salton Sea area), it was just today that we had our first noteable quake in the Big Bear area since St. Patrick’s Day. This afternoon’s earthquake, at 12:39pm, was of a 2.1 magnitude and registered a depth of over five miles, per the U.S. Geological Survey. The 2.1 … [Read more...] about Tuesday Afternoon Earthquake, Just Outside Big Bear Lake, Registers a 2.1 Magnitude
Fire/Safety
San Bernardino National Forest Fire Chief Mike Dietrich to Retire; District Ranger Kurt Winchester to Be Promoted
The San Bernardino National Forest’s Fire and Aviation Management Chief Mike Dietrich will, after 33 years of government service, be retiring as of April 3. During his time as the forest’s fire chief, Dietrich helped develop the Mountain Area Safety Taskforce, which is now a nationally recognized multi-level government and private partnership since its formation in 2002 as a … [Read more...] about San Bernardino National Forest Fire Chief Mike Dietrich to Retire; District Ranger Kurt Winchester to Be Promoted
Given Threat of Major Earthquake, County Fire Chief Dennen Says, “The Message to the Public Right Now Is That They Should Be Prepared”
Given the, now, countless number of small earthquakes centered in the Salton Sea area just south of Indio this week, a threat still exists for a major earthquake to take place on the San Andreas Fault—perhaps of a 7.0 magnitude or greater, though this risk is reduced with each passing day. In a conversation with San Bernardino County Fire Chief Pat Dennen, who is also one of … [Read more...] about Given Threat of Major Earthquake, County Fire Chief Dennen Says, “The Message to the Public Right Now Is That They Should Be Prepared”
Report of Fire Off Highway 330 Thursday Morning Turns Out to Be False Alarm
There had been a report of a fire off Highway 330 in the 8am hour today. Firefighting crews from both the San Bernardino County Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the calls indicating there was smoke in the area near the lower passing lane, though the good news is that this turned out to be a false alarm. So, once again, no fire off Highway 330 this … [Read more...] about Report of Fire Off Highway 330 Thursday Morning Turns Out to Be False Alarm
Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District Names Rod Ballard of San Diego as New Fire Chief to Oversee Big Bear Lake Fire Department
There’s a new fire chief in town, as the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District has named the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Deputy Fire Chief Rod Ballard to fill the post vacated by Fire Chief John Morley, who retired in September. Ballard signed his contract this morning and met personnel at the Big Bear Lake Fire Department this afternoon, since being hired by … [Read more...] about Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District Names Rod Ballard of San Diego as New Fire Chief to Oversee Big Bear Lake Fire Department