Update courtesy of 93.3 KBHR
Progress Made on Slide and Grass Valley Fires; Big Bear Still Safe at This Time -- Update as of 5pm
Over 2,100 firefighters continue to make progress in fire suppression on the Slide Fire and Grass Valley Fire, both of which started early Monday morning.
Fire suppression on the Grass Valley Fire is under the direction of a Type II national incident management team, with the assistance of the U.S. Forest Service as the lead agency among the many crews on this blaze, in the area generally centered northwest of Lake Arrowhead. Containment on this fire is at 70% over 1,100 acres, with an updated structure loss tally at 160. Official reports tell us that firefighters continue to make good progress on line construction, and crews are mopping up 300 feet into the interior of the fire from control lines, and 100% around structures.
The Slide Fire, which has been burning in areas of Green Valley Lake and Running Springs, seems to be slowing and, per our eyewitness reports this afternoon, tends to be smoldering rather than burning, especially in the 13 Turns area of Highway 18, which had been a concern yesterday. Crews have remained in this area both day and night, and the U.S. Forest Service's John Miller notes that though the fire did reach the roadway at certain points, it was a ground fire and most trees along Highway 18 do remain intact. As of yesterday morning, there had been no containment on the Slide Fire, but today's reports are at 15% containment on the 13,378 burned acres on this blaze, under the fire suppression management of a national Type I team.
Last count on structure loss on the Slide Fire was an approximate 200 plus homes, though updated information is expected at this evening's 7pm meetings for evacuees. At both the National Orange Show Fairgrounds in San Bernardino and the Victorville Fairgrounds, evacuees will be addressed, and maps will be provided to outline damaged and destroyed properties. Updated information in terms of re-entry plans and schedules will be available to those who had to evacuate this week, from Crestline to Snow Valley.
The threat to the Big Bear area remains minimal, though, during fire season, it is always prudent to maintain defensible space and have a family evacuation plan that includes the four Ps: papers, prescriptions, pets and photos. Still, there is no imminent threat to our Valley at this time.
Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley and Highway 38 both remain open to all traffic, and no proof of residency is required to access Big Bear from these roadways.
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