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Shortly before 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, 911 callers reported smoke visible from across the Big Bear Valley. The smoke was reportedly originating somewhere south of the Big Bear Dam over a ridge in an area near a recreational zone known as Bluff Lake. This is the same area that burned two weeks ago, the cause of which is still under investigation.
A full response was ordered which included San Bernardino County fire, U.S. Forest Service Fire, Cal Fire, and the Big Bear Fire Department. Some units had already been dispatched to a rescue happening down by Forest Falls. Initial dispatches included units from Crestline in Lake Arrowhead as well as Running Springs. Move up and cover orders were issued for other stations during the original dispatch.
Aircraft were initially dispatched, but were held. The battalion chief arrived on scene and advised that it was less than an acre. Rotary wing aircraft were dispatched to the fire and then arrived. Fixed-wing aircraft were held for a short time after doing a couple of drops.
Within 30 minutes of the original dispatch, ground Crews were arriving on scene and began to lay hose around the fire. The fire burned in fallen timber materials, a conifer forest with grassy understory, and burned at a slow rate of spread. By 5:30 p.m., the Incident Commander had canceled all additional incoming units.
This is a story that is currently happening. We will update this article as details become available.