According to InciWeb, the Apple Fire has burned more than 26,000 acres, with about 5% containment. The fire is burning in, basically, virgin fire territory; there hasn’t been a fire in that area in a long time so there is a fuel density, low humidity, and high temperature equation that is allowing this fire to burn hot and bright. It’s an active fire during the day and night (it’s not really laying down after dark).
A fire now named the Summit Fire is burning in the San Bernardino National Forest near Forest Service Road 2N08 (to the south of the city of Big Bear Lake and west of the Snow Summit ski resort).
The fire appears to have started near Pine Knot Avenue and Knickerbocker Road around 12:30 p.m. Within an hour, the fire had grown to more than 10 acres, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. At last report, it had grown again to between 20 and 25 acres. It has a moderate rate of spread, and is being fueled by moderate to heavy forest growth.
There are mandatory evacuations for the area from Knickerbocker Road east to Georgia Road and south of Pennsylvania Road to the forest boundary.
08/24/15 Update (from InciWeb):
InciWeb is reporting that the Mill 2 fire is burning off the 38 near Bryant street off Highway 38. They’re also reporting that a drone was flying in the area, which caused the tankers to abort their mission(s). Keep your damned drones away from the fires, idiots!
From Inciweb:
The Mill 2 Fire started in Mill Creek Canyon near State Highway 38 and Bryant Street at about 2:30 pm, east of Mentone, and north of Yucaipa.
It is reported to be approximately 35 acres in size. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Four homes are evacuated on the lower or west end of Yucaipa Ridge.
State Highway 38 is closed between Bryant Street and Lake Williams.
The fire is being managed in unified command US Forest Service and CALFIRE.
Resources responding include: 17 engines, 7 crews, 2 dozers, 5 helicopters, 2 fixed wing air tankers, air attack, DC-10 (VLAT) on order.
An Unmanned Aircraft System (drone) temporarily halted tanker operations, but operations soon resumed.
You can get the latest information on the fire HERE.
Big Bear Chili Cookoff
Saturday, July 11th
10:00am – 5:00pm
Bartlett Street Parking Lot
Chili Tasting Kits: $5.00
This is an official International Chili Society sanctioned event. If you can get here, GET HERE!
As a member of a number of different groups, I sometimes notice stupid people with internet testicles getting their dander up over a supposed wrong that someone else did to them while driving in the mountains. Here’s the latest:
This was publicly posted by some chick:
Hello big bear residents,
Today we were driving down the 38 around 12:30ish and we encountered a very rude and inconsiderate driver. He was riding our tail ,swerving,honking his horn and giving us the finger. We finally pulled over to let him pass. He did the same thing to the driver in front of him until we passed the Yucaipa turn off. I took a picture of his car and license plate and we started to flip me off again as we approach him to tell him to pull over this driver cut us off and took off down lugonia driving like a total jerk. This man with long white hair was driving like a total A.. and could of caused a major accident and he didn’t care. I believe this person is a big bear local with several stickers on his gray Nissan rogue. You are an inconsiderate driver and your behavior was uncalled for!!
I responded with:
So … you didn’t pull over to let him pass, you chased him, and you tried to pull him over.
Are you the police? If you’re not, then use the turn outs, don’t chase people, and don’t try to pull them over. That’s how accidents and road rage incidents happen.
Leave the actual policing to law enforcement.
