We manage 680,000 acres in four mountain ranges in Southern California, including portions of two nat'l monuments (Sand to Snow + Santa Rosa/San Jacinto Mtns)
At about 5:30 tonight, Jackie, the female of the Big Bear nesting pair of bald eagles, laid her first egg of the 2020 season. If things go like the past couple years, we expect a second egg to be laid in about 3 days.
Well, look at this. An egg was laid today at the Big Bear bald eagle nest, which is livestreamed here:
The parents will take turns incubating the egg. If all goes well, we may see a hatchling by mid-April!
(Photo courtesy Friends of Big Bear Valley)
RUMOR CONTROL:
This sign has been posted around the forest and is spreading on social media.
The is not an official Forest Service sign, and there is no known threats of this type to visitors.
Anyone with information about who is posting this sign should call 909-383-5651
At long last, the Big Bear bald eagle has fledged! He took his first flight at 6:19 a.m.
He will next remain in the area, learning to fly as his parents continue to care for him. Then, over the rest of the summer, we should see him around the lake being taught how to hunt.
FAWNSKIN, CA—The famous bald eagle couple in the Big Bear area now has one egg in their nest! A second egg could be laid soon.
You can watch activity in the nest live, thanks to the Friends of Big Bear Valley:
FAWNSKIN, CA—A second egg has been laid at the famous bald eagle nest in the Big Bear area!
On average, bald eagles lay two eggs per clutch, but sometimes a third (and even fourth) can be laid. We'll be keeping an eye out for a third egg later this week.
15 years ago today, the Esperanza Fire burned over Engine 57. Five San Bernardino Nat'l Forest firefighters paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the American public:
Mark Loutzenhiser, Jess McLean, Jason McKay, Pablo Cerda and Danny Hoover-Najera.
We will NEVER forget.
Thirteen years ago today, the 40,000-acre arson-caused Esperanza Fire resulted in the deaths of five Forest Service firefighters assigned to Engine 57 in the San Jacinto Mountains. The communities, U.S. Forest Service and the families have vowed, "We will always remember." 🙏
#AppleFire
morning update: 20,516 acres at 0% containment.
Our new public information line is:
(909) 383-5688
Please continue to follow
@RivCoReady
and
@sbcountysheriff
for evacuation info.
Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and fellow firefighters during this time.
The cause is under investigation. More details will be made available as they are confirmed.
#AppleFire
evening update, 8/2:
Fire burned actively today primarily north and east.
Acreage remains the same; night operations flight will conduct infrared mapping tonight. Now at 5% containment.
2,266 total personnel assigned, more coming in.
Evacuations remain the same.
Please welcome the new Forest Supervisor for the San Bernardino National Forest! Danelle Harrison reported for duty this morning and will oversee a large staff covering all aspects of the Forest.
Learn more about her here:
BIG BEAR LAKE — U.S. Forest Service firefighters attempted a prescribed burn today, but only burned 2 acres.
The weather changed slightly with a lowering humidity, making the fire burn with increased intensity than desired so the burn boss halted ignitions.
They grow so fast. The two Big Bear bald eagle chicks that hatched mid-April are no longer tiny fluff balls! And they’ll be adult-sized next month.
Today, we had them checked on (good news, they’re healthy) and banded. We also now know both are males. Here’s a close-up look.
Today’s rain showers over the
#RadfordFire
aided in reducing fire activity. Crews achieved 40% containment with their hard work. The fire is currently 1,088 acres and evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings. More rainfall is forecasted tomorrow over the area.
Due to the
#SouthFire
, Lytle Creek and the immediate area is closed as of this morning.
This includes many trails, recreation sites, and Forest Service roads that feed into this area.
#ElDoradoFire
evening update:
Weather will remain dry/hot throughout night w/an elevated temp + relative humidity at 20%. Winds will remain downslope at 3-5 mph w/gusts to 10. This will result in continued active fire behavior throughout the night
More:
#SouthFire
update (900 acres, 10% contained):
Approx. 1,000 people remain evacuated after a hot and dry day with more fire activity, primarily on Penstock Ridge. Evacuations remain in place as firefighters begin tonight's shift to continue securing/building containment lines.
#ElDoradoFire
Update:
⁃ 2727 acres / 5% containment
⁃ The fire was very active overnight with 300-foot flame lengths early this morning
⁃ Firefighters had a strong firefight overnight doing structure defense in the fire areas
Continued...
This somber morning firefighters at
#ElDoradoFire
reflected on the 19th anniversary of the 09/11/2001 attacks.
Today we remember all involved in rescue & recovery efforts, the civilians who died & those who made the ultimate sacrifice while helping others.
#NeverForget
#9
/11
Volunteers this past Saturday covered 488 graffiti tags, took out 5 illegal campfire rings and removed 187 pounds of trash along Deep Creek and Hesperia Falls.
The forest partnered with the
@MojaveDesertLT
and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Great work volunteers! 🤝
BIG BEAR LAKE — US Forest Service firefighters are responding to several lightning strike fires today.
They’ve also seen a drone over one of them. With our aircraft working above to extinguish this fire, this presents a dangerous situation.
Remember, if you fly, we can’t!
The memorial service for fallen USDA Forest Service firefighter Charles Morton is now streaming online. Join the service here:
-
@the_rock_church
YouTube:
- SBNF Facebook:
Whenever critical fire weather arrives, your U.S. Forest Service firefighters heed the call to expand their schedules overnight, even if it is Thanksgiving. Here are some of them enjoying the festivities with their crew families. 🙏
BIG BEAR CITY, CA—US Forest Service firefighters are on scene of a lightning holdover fire south of town off Clark’s Grade Rd. (1N54). The fire has been kept to a 20 ft. x 20 ft. spot, thanks to a recent light dusting of snow and quick work by ground and air resources.
It is with great sadness to announce that one of the bald eagle chicks in the Big Bear nest passed away this morning around 8 am. Although we will not know for sure, hypothermia was most likely the cause.
We are happy to be back at work serving the American people and welcoming visitors. A big thanks to our communities and partners who have supported employees, cared for the forest and helped visitors.
CAJON PASS — US Forest Service firefighters responded to another illegal campfire this afternoon in Sycamore Canyon, off Glen Helen Parkway.
Luckily Engine 332 extinguished it before it escaped.
The memorial service for fallen Forest Service firefighter Charles Morton will be held on Friday (9/25) at 11 am in San Bernardino at
@the_rock_church
.
Due to space limitations, there is no room for public attendance. However, the service will be live streamed...
#ElDoradoFire
And egg number two was laid this evening at the Big Bear bald eagle nest! We will continue to see the parents take turns incubating the eggs over the next 35 or so days.
(Photo courtesy Friends of Big Bear Valley)
Smoke from the
#AppleFire
can be seen from throughout the Forest, including Big Bear (seen here). At this time, this is the only active fire on the forest and there are no threats to the mountain communities.
Local evacuation info for the Cherry Valley area is on
@RivCoReady
BIG BEAR LAKE, CA—US Forest Service firefighters are responding to smoke showing in two locations south of town. One, which is pictured here, is located near Grand View Point off Mill Creek Road (2N10). Another is located around Sugarloaf Mountain. More details are forthcoming.
Traffic Alert: A gate of unknown origin has appeared at the bottom of Bailey Canyon Rd. (2N49). This is not located on Forest Service land. Staff are looking into the issue and we will post an update when we learn more.
Major Announcement - As of 5:00 p,m today, the San Bernardino National Forest, as well as a number of other forests in California, will be closed to all public use.
Read the full press release here:
Smoke visible today from the
#ElDoradofire
in Angelus Oaks can be seen as far as Big Bear, due to interior trees/stumps burning, which do not threaten containment lines.
Please do not call 911.
Firefighters continue to work in this area, and Evac Warnings are still in place.
Fourteen years ago today, the 40,000-acre arson-caused Esperanza Fire resulted in the deaths of five Forest Service firefighters assigned to Engine 57 in the San Jacinto Mountains.
The communities, U.S. Forest Service and the families have vowed, "We will always remember." 🙏
#ElDoradoFire
To date, there is no residential structure loss in Mountain Home Village or Forest Falls. Evacuation orders remain in place, as the fire is active & still a threat.
Firefighters are in these communities providing structure defense & building containment lines.
Due to the
#AppleFire
, we are closing the San Gorgonio Wilderness, as well as inbound trails, associated parking lots/roads.
Additionally, Big Falls Trail, Falls Picnic Area and the PCT between the Forest boundary and Onyx Summit are closed.
(Photo taken from Forest Falls)
This is the
#RoadsideFire
. There is an immediate life and property threat.
Mandatory evacuations are in effect for all residences and businesses off Cajon Blvd. between Keenbrook Rd. and Swarthout Canyon Rd.
A US Forest Service honor guard, along with the California Highway Patrol, will escort fallen Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Charles Morton in a solemn procession to a mortuary in Orange County on the morning of Tuesday, September 22.
Route details:
Due to the size of the tree and safety reasons, this tree could not be taken down today.
It’ll continue to smolder and put up smoke, visible on the northeast shore of the lake.
FS Engine 317 will be watching it overnight and will continue working to extinguish it Sunday.
The
#CranstonFire
has been 100% contained. Personnel will remain on the fire to patrol and continue mop-up until the fire is fully controlled and out.
(Photo of the fire on July 26 from Beaumont, CA)
#ElDoradoForest
evening update:
Good progress was made today. Firefighters were able to put black line around Mountain Home Village to protect homes. A burnout operation was also conducted on the eastern fire perimeter.
More:
We're asking drivers to be very careful as bighorn sheep have recently been seen along roads, as they come down to lower elevations seeking food and water.
Sightings include Hwy 18 near Cactus Flats (behind Big Bear) and Hwy 38 near Forest Falls, but they could pop up elsewhere.
12 years ago today, the arson-caused Esperanza Fire burned over 40,000 acres, destroyed 54 structures and resulted in the deaths of five USFS firefighters. All were assigned to Engine 57. The communities,
@forestservice
and the families have vowed, "We will always remember..."
UPDATE:
#RadfordFire
was tested by strong easterly winds this afternoon and remained well within the control lines. There was no fire movement or increase in acreage. The fire remains at 1,088 acres and 59% containment.
Monday morning update for the 3 fires located in the Cajon Pass area:
•
#SouthFire
: 819 acres, 49% contained
•
#RoadsideFire
: 50 acres, 60% contained
•
#RailroadFire
: 61 acres, 50% contained
All evacuations and road closures have been lifted for the affected areas.
Guess who’s back?! The bald eagle chick who fell out of the Big Bear nest last week has learned to fly and returned this morning. See the video of his return here:
It's that time of year again. One of Forest's bald eagles pairs are working on their nest in the Big Bear area.
We've enacted our annual closure of the area to protect the nesting site and—hopefully—future chicks.
UPDATE:
#RadfordFire
is 2% contained and 990 acres in size. Firefighters will continue working to establish containment lines with support from air resources.
#AppleFire
Morning Update August 6, 2020
Size: 28,085 acres
Percent contained: 30%
Strategy: Full Suppression
Total Personnel: 2,591
Up-to-date incident information can be found at
Apple Fire August 5 Morning Update
Size: 27,319 acres
Percent contained: 30%
Strategy: Full Suppression
Total Personnel: 2,578
For current information visit:
CAJON PASS — US Forest Service firefighters along with
@CALFIREBDU
@SBCOUNTYFIRE
have extinguished 5 fire starts this morning along the NB 15 between Hwy 138 and Oak Hill, the largest of which was 1/4 acre.
The cause is currently under investigation.
BIG BEAR LAKE, CA—Firefighters continue suppress two of the six remaining lightning-caused fires from yesterday (see photos).
In the meantime, two more fires caused by lightning were reported this morning, one on Bear Mountain and one on Sugarloaf Mountain. Crews are assigned.
Two eaglets by Lake Hemet have been banded by researchers! Thanks to
@cvdesert
for funding this important effort in understanding bald eagles who use our Forest and surrounding lands.
Happy
#WorldMigratoryBirdDay
2020! 🦅
BIG BEAR LAKE, CA—This morning’s test burn at the prescribed burn unit was successful. Crews are moving forward with ignitions. Smoke will be visible from the area between Bluff Lake and Castle Rock.
#PeakFire
update: holding at 34 acres; forward rate of spread has been stopped.
Highway 18 will remain closed for the next several hours.
@SBCOUNTYFIRE
HIGHLAND, Calif—U.S. Forest Service firefighters are on scene of a 5-acre fire north of Cloverhill Dr.
It is burning in light flashy fuels with a slow to moderate rate of spread. Winds are currently light at the moment.
#GulchFire
#SouthFire
Sunday morning update:
Remains at 819 acres and 30% containment.
We remain in unified command with
@sbcountysheriff
.
(Video below is from this past Thursday in Lytle Creek)
FAWNSKIN, CA—Firefighters early this morning were dispatched to a lightning-caused tree fire on Delamar Mountain north of town. Crews, with the help of
@CALFIREBDU
and
@SBCOUNTYFIRE
, have built line around the fire, which spread to a small area on the ground.
The ground support crews assigned to the
#RadfordFire
paying their respects to the 343 fallen firefighters on 9/11/2001. Firefighters all across the country are honoring the fallen and paying tribute to their ultimate sacrifice today on the 21st anniversary.
We made the difficult decision to temporarily close all National Forests in CA in order to better provide public & firefighter safety due to extreme fire conditions. This will be effective on Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. through Sept. 17 at 11:59 p.m. MORE:
#ElDoradoFire
evening update:
The El Dorado Fire burned steep near Hwy 38 this afternoon. There is concern for ember casting overnight w/downslope wind influence. Crews are working diligently to patrol & work on the control line in difficult terrain.
Third graders in Big Bear got quite a show yesterday on their field trip with one of our biologists. Two adult and two juvenile bald eagles were spotted. The juveniles scuffled over food and the adults showed mating behavior.
How about a California Flannelbush to brighten your day?
The fremontodendrons are bursting with yellow color across the forest right now. This one was seen on Forest Rd 2N01 (Broom Flats Rd).
Have you seen it too? Reply here with a photo if you have🌻
Will the Forest closure be enforced?
Yes. Here’s an example: In this photo from tonight, an investigation of a vehicle spotted in the closure area revealed expired registration over six months out, which is a towable offense.
REDLANDS - We are assisting
@BLMca
on a 30-acre vegetation fire in the Santa Ana River wash near its crossing with Orange Ave. Good progress is being made.
@RedlandsFD
,
@CALFIREBDU
and
@SBCOUNTYFIRE
are also assisting.
FAWNSKIN — US Forest Service firefighters have responded to a small fire caused by a lightning strike near the Cougar Crest Trail north of Big Bear Lake.
Units are on scene working to extinguish it, and the fire poses no threat to the trail.
#ElDoradoFire
update:
We are now at 95% containment and remain at 22,744 acres. Firefighters continue to seek out hot spots and mop up in several areas, as well as suppression repair of constructed fire lines.
Evacuation warnings remain in place.