LINE FIRE UPDATE

AS OF 2:30 PM SEPTEMBER 14, 2024

THE EVACUATION ORDER FOR THE AREA OF BIG BEAR LAKE FROM BIG BEAR DAM EAST TO WILDROSE LANE & THE SOUTH SHORELINE TO BLUFF LAKE BASIN HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED TO AN

EVACUATION WARNING. ONLY RESIDENTS MAY RETURN AT THIS TIME.

THE REST OF THE BIG BEAR VALLEY IS STILL UNDER AN EVACUATION WARNING, EXCEPT FOR BALDWIN LAKE & LAKE WILLIAMS. SR-18 TO LUCERNE VALLEY REMAINS OPEN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

The Line Fire has burned 38,074 acres between Highland and Running Springs since it began on September 5th. Containment is 25%.

View updates here.

The City Of Palm Springs and Visit Greater Palm Springs are offering line fire evacuees from Big Bear Lake special hotel pricing

Our partners at The City of Palm Springs and Visit Greater Palm Springs have coordinated special hotel pricing for Big Bear Lake evacuees. The City thanks them for providing our residents this very generous offer during this challenging time.

Ensure your family and home are ready in case of an evacuation.

• Make sure your vehicle is fully fueled or charged.
• Have a Go Bag packed with necessary items such as cash, important documents, phones, medicines and medical devices.
• Make sure to have key items for babies, elders, people with medical needs and pets. 

It’s important to understand the difference between an Evacuation Warning and an Evacuation Order, when issued. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department explains:

Evacuation Warning - ACTIVE NOW IN THE BIG BEAR VALLEY, EXCEPT BALDWIN LAKE & LAKE WILLIAMS

• This is a precautionary alert.
• It means conditions might worsen, and you should prepare to leave.
• You should gather essentials and be ready to evacuate quickly, and monitor updates.
• Evacuation is not yet mandatory, but is strongly advised to be prepared.
• Potential threat to life and property.
• Leave now if you need additional time to evacuate or have pets or livestock.

Evacuation Order

• This is a mandatory alert.
• It means conditions are immediately dangerous and you must leave the area for your safety.
• Staying could put your life at risk.
• A lawful order to evacuate due to immediate threat to life and property.

The Sheriff's Department provides evacuation notice updates on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Evacuation Shelters

Red Cross shelters are open to anyone impacted by the wildfire, offering overnight accommodations or a space to rest, charge devices, pick up meals, or gather important updates. The Red Cross has equipped the shelter with mass care and shelter trailers; staff from the Department of Behavioral Health are available to support evacuees. San Bernardino County Animal Care assists evacuees with household pets, while large animals can stay at the County's Devore Animal Shelter.

Red Cross shelters are now open at:

• Jessie Turner Community Center 15556 Summit Ave., Fontana, CA 92336 (909) 854-5100
• San Bernardino County Fairgrounds 14800 Seventh St., Victorville, CA (760) 951-2200

Animal Shelters:

• Devore Animal Shelter 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino, CA 92407 (909) 386-9820
• The Big Bear Animal Shelter is closed until further notice.

Stay informed and connected

On Saturday, San Bernardino County proclaimed the existence of a local emergency in response to the Line Fire. Later in the day, California Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency in San Bernardino County. Both actions make San Bernardino County eligible for state and federal assistance in responding to and recovering from the fire.

Cal Fire is documenting the response effort and providing real-time information on their Line Fire Incident Page, available here. In addition, San Bernardino County's Incident Page, which contains links to important resources, can be seen here.

Emergency Information & Links

In emergency situations, information is distributed quickly on social media. To stay up to date on the Line Fire, these first responder accounts on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram are recommended.

Cal Fire - X, Facebook, Instagram

San Bernardino National Forest - X, Facebook

San Bernardino County Fire - X, Facebook, Instagram

Big Bear Fire Department - Facebook, Instagram

San Bernardino County Sheriff - X, Facebook, Instagram

San Bernardino County Sheriff, Big Bear Station - X, Facebook, Instagram

Bear Valley Unified School District - Website & Facebook

The Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) sends important messages and Emergency Alert Notifications from San Bernardino County Emergency Management. Sign up for TENS here or by calling (909) 356-3998.

You can also call 211 for information regarding road closures, evacuation routes, animal care resources, shelter information, mental health support, and food assistance. You should only call 911 for immediate emergencies. Your cooperation ensures that urgent help is available when needed.

Road closure information provided by Caltrans and CHP.

Plan your route accordingly to avoid delays.

For the most current information, call 211, follow Caltrans on Facebook or visit: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov.

SR-38

• SR-38 is closed in both directions from Bryant St. to Lake Williams due to fire spread. Only residents from evacuation areas along SR-38 may use it as an evacuation route in both directions. Traffic control points are being manned by CHP and Caltrans.

SR-18

• SR-18 is closed from Kuffel Canyon (1.3 mi north of the junction of SR 173 at Santa's Village) to SR-38 (Big Bear Dam). Evacuations are able to occur, but no inbound traffic allowed as fire crews are in the area.

SR-330

• SR-330 is closed in both directions from Highland Avenue to SR-18 in Running Springs due to the fire jumping the road. Caltrans crews started assessing damages, and will continue those operations today as well. There is no ETA for reopening the route at this time.

Mountain Transit Service Update

• Big Bear Service will operate the Red line, Gold line and Dial a ride (except to the areas with mandatory evacuation orders in place).
• Blue line is suspended until further notice.
• Mountain Transit Rim Service for Route 6 Off the Mountain and Route 2 are running on time as scheduled (schedules available at MountainTransit.org website).
• Route 4 (Lake Arrowhead to Running Springs) is suspended until further notice.

For more information, please visit https://www.mountaintransit.org/.

Bear Valley Community Hospital Emergency Room Remains Open

Bear Valley Community Healthcare District remains open to serve the Big Bear community. The hospital is stabilizing and transporting patients as needed to other hospitals outside of the evacuation zones. The Emergency Room will remain open to serve the public.

Address: 41870 Garstin Dr. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Phone Number: (909) 866-6501

Website: bvchd.com

Line Fire Impacts Air Quality

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) monitors air quality across Southern California. Recent numbers from the agency indicate the impact the line fire is having on public health. Currently, the air quality for Big Bear Lake ranges from Moderate in the east to Unhealthy on the West End, and a Smoke Advisory is in place until 11:00 PM Saturday.

Wildfire smoke can cause unhealthy air quality in areas many miles away from the fire. Smoke conditions change quickly, so check your air quality using the South Coast AQMD app or on their interactive map. Older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart diseases or lung diseases (such as asthma) may be especially sensitive to health risks from wildfire smoke.

If you smell smoke or see ash due to a wildfire, here are ways to limit your exposure:

• Remain indoors with windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter.
• Avoid vigorous physical activity
• Run your air conditioner if you have one and make sure it has a clean filter. Close the fresh air intake if your air conditioner has the option so that it is recirculating the indoor air to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. A higher efficiency filter (i.e. higher MERV rating) will filter out more smoke particles than a low efficiency one.
• Create a space in your home with filtered air, by using a portable high-efficiency of HEPA air cleaner while keeping doors and windows closed. This can be a room where you spend a lot of time, such as a bedroom. More information about air filters and air cleaners can be found here: Fact Sheet on Indoor Air Filtration. 
• Avoid using a whole-house fan or a swamp cooler with an outside air intake.
• Avoid using indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces. Avoid combustion sources inside the home such as candles and incense that could further degrade indoor air quality.
• If you must be outdoors in smoky conditions, keep it brief, and use a disposable respirator (N-95 or P-100). These respirators can offer some protection from smoke particles if they are worn properly and have a tight fit. Do not rely on surgical masks or cloth masks for protection. Information about using respirators to protect from wildfire smoke or ash can be found here: Fact Sheet on Respirators.

Postponed & Cancelled Events

The following events and activities have been cancelled due to the Line Fire:

• Big Bear Farmer's Market - 9/13
• American Legion Post 585 (through 9/13)
• BBMWD Launch Ramp Facilities
• Cowboy Challenge at Los Vaqueros De Las Montanas - 9/13-9/15
• Porsche Timeline - 9/14
• Oktoberfest - 9/14-9/15
• Moonridge Monday - 9/16
• Village Concert Series: Taylor Nation 9/21 & 9/22
• National Public Lands Day - 9/28

Postponed Events:

• Miss Big Bear Scholarship Pageant: rescheduled to Saturday, September 28 at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center. Click here to purchase tickets.