At 7:01 p.m. on 5/4/18, emergency crews were dispatched to a residential neighborhood near Deep Creek Drive and Badger Lane in Arrowbear. Reports indicated smoke showing. Local social media sites also had posts indicating smoke was visible. The California Highway Patrol as well as Arrowbear Fire E271, and E3556 from Running Springs fire station 51 responded.
A check of the area by CHP and fire crews did not initially locate any fires. Scanner traffic indicated that the crews were UTL, or unable to locate. However, upon returning to the station, the crew from E271 noticed a smoke plume to the West.
Upon further investigation they were able to find the house and directed the homeowner to extinguish the illegal campfire.