Category Archives: Wildlife

Big Bear Lake, National Forests, Wildfire, Wildlife

Summit Fire burning south of Big Bear Lake

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

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):

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Big Bear Lake, Wildlife

Mill 2 fire update

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

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.

News, Wildlife

CSF Hosts 2nd Annual ‘California Wine, Wings & Wildlife’ Event in Sonoma

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

On June 29, in the heart of California’s wine country, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) gathered members of the sportsmen’s conservation community and other supporters for the 2nd Annual ‘California Wine, Wings & Wildlife,’ western regional event.

This event offered an opportunity for Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members from the western United States and supporters of the sportsmen’s conservation community to discuss regional and federal policy priorities. It commenced with a sporting clays competition at the Wing & Barrel Ranch, followed by a wine reception and dinner.

CSF President Jeff Crane welcomed attendees. “We are fortunate to have strong supporters of the hunting and angling community in a beautiful place like Sonoma. Thank you to Members of Congress and CSF partners for joining us to discuss and celebrate the future of hunting and angling.” Crane also announced the sporting clays competition “Top Gun” shooter: Larry Turley, of Turley Wine Cellars.

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Wildlife

Heat wipes out California Poppy Bloom In Antelope Valley

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Whew!  It’s sure been hot!  And that heat has cooked the color right out of an early bloom of California poppies.

From 89.3 KPCC’s website:

The weekend’s unseasonable record heat has prematurely “cooked” the color right out of the annual bloom of California poppies in the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, which is normally covered in orange blossoms right about now.

“We’re astonished to find that our big bloom of desert-adapted, ruggedly persistent poppies has been all but cooked away by the unseasonable heat we’ve had over the last week,” the reserve posted in a Bloom Status dated March 15.

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Wildlife

CDFW Resumes Trout Planting in Kern and Tulare County Waterways

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has started planting catchable rainbow trout in Kern and Tulare County rivers and lakes last month after water temperatures cooled enough to ensure success.

The first fish from the Kern River Hatchery were put into the Kern River above Kernville and more fish will be planted from the hatchery as water temperatures continue to drop. Ming, River Walk, Truxton and other lakes around Bakersfield have also been stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout, with others to follow. Continue reading →