Updates since 9:45am (PDT).
Worse case scenario is here, but the battle rages
on.
Backfires are being used on 18; so far,
so good.
The priority for air support is to
hinder the eastern part of the fire from advancing.
- Local news coverage is on KCAL9
now. The rest of the stations are covering President Bush's
forum.
- "My Dad is
flying over the area right now and he said it looks pretty good. The Twin Peaks
area is looking fine as is the Crestline and even the Running Springs area.
Strawberry Peak still has some smoke but they are working on it. I will give an
update when he is back on the ground in Big Bear." [Tannah, Message
Board]
- The first drops
started close to the water tank by Lookout
Tower.
- "There seems to
be some question about the wind conditions. The meteorologists I have heard from
seem to believe that we will keep the Northern winds (north to south) for the
better part of today and possibly into tomorrow. This is good news, as it will
continue to push the flames off the rim. The winds are not as strong as they
have been the last two days - they are no longer really the Santa Ana desert
winds - so there is a greater chance of the flames jumping 18." [Joel
Smith]
- On channel 5
news they just said that Rimforest lost at least 6 or 7 homes, maybe more. Some
of their Rim Forest pictures (8:20am) are great in illustrating the fight the
firefighters put on last night at Rim
Forest.
- The eastern
part of the fire is well established running toward Running Springs, Arrowbear,
and Fredalba. It is fast; crews are establishing coordination and strategies
now. Air Support is needed there
too.
- From the fire
captain on KTLA: As long as the winds stay South, the backfire should meet the
main fire and MAYBE burn out a bit. It all depends on the winds staying their
course. If the winds change toward the school.... well, let's not think that
way.
- "The only thing I
know about Twin Peaks is that Rose Lane was okay at about 7:00. I have family
working up there (Sheriff) and we expect to hear from him after he gets some
rest." [Tannah; message
board]
- "No confirmed
information to report, but here is a little UNCONFIRMED information that was
passed between dispatchers (other law enforcement dispatchers). SBSO dispatchers
heard that at Twin Peaks SO station there was fire around the substation. NO
CONFIRMED status on this information CHP dispatchers reported that a water pool
is being constructed at RIM in the parking lot for attack helicopter retardant
drop operations. NO CONFIRMED status on this information." [reliable
source]
- Scanner: Air
support transmissions have started, but no further
information.
- There has
been very little reportable information from the
scanners.
- East
Highlands update: Major ash fallout, no structures lost for
now.
- From a Crestline
perspective, things are calmer. The KTLA report was from Top
Town.
- 10% contained
according to NBC4.
- The
winds have shifted into an onshore flow, which is not helping our fire. The next
hours will dictate a lot. The winds are flowing
south.
- Some small spot
fires in Crestline (near Skyland) are being fought.
[6:04am]
- "Running
Springs is fine, no fire has reached Running Springs. Just saw Dan Teter of
Centruy21 on Chanel 7 eyewitness news. He said that everything in running
Springs is ok. They have setup a call station at Centruy 21 for Running Springs
Residents to call. They didn''t leave a number, but I''m sure that if you search
google for C21 running springs you''ll find their website." [John
Patrick]
Posted: Tue - October 28, 2003 at 05:47 AM