Updates as of 7:44pm (PDT).


The next hours are so critical for the mountain as a whole.
Please scroll down for more web links to sites that share further information.
The web-based scanner is online again (non-stop activity).

- New Link: County of San Bernardino Emergency Operations Center News
- New Link: Burn maps from the USFS information center in San Bernardino [rimoftheworld.net]
- New Link: SBCSS – School Closures

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- KCAL9: Awaiting TV update for Crestline...

- KCAL9: Devore's fire is doing better; however, the Crestline fire has a red glow which the reporter called "ominous." The weather is changing; humidity will rise/temps cooler.

- Scanner: East Highland is in imminent danger right now. Strike teams are on their way.

- KCAL9: Josh Rubenstein states the winds are blowing FROM the north, which hopefully will keep the 30'-40' flames from coming over Highway 18 and catching the beetle trees. If the fire can be re-directed toward the west, this would be ideal.

Awaiting more news...

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- Anyone hear the update from KFROG about Blue Jay and Twin Peaks??? The intensity has surely picked up. The fire has reached the rim (18) in some spots. It is spotting elsewhere. Scanner reports looting in Crestline by Johnnie's. Geez.

- NBC4: Showing the helicopter view, Rim Forest to Running Springs does not look good. You can see some of the retardant on some of the lower trees, as well as, the controlled burns (lots of smoke). But the underlying fire is getting faster and going straight up. They have not mentioned any major updates about Crestline; just the potential of losing Lake Arrowhead. The offshore winds have started (West to East) which mean MAJOR complications for the out of control fire. Not much time for air support going into the evening.

- ABC7 reports that the I-215 is open. She also reports that 27 firefighters have been hurt between the Grand Prix and Old Fire; one very seriously.

- I have seen this posted: President Bush HAS declared So-Cal as a disaster area, which releases FIMA funds. Governor-Elect Arnold is going to Washington D.C. tomorrow to jump-start the process.

From:
Richard Whited, Strawberry Peak Lookout Leader
Sent:
Monday, October 27, 2003 3:35 PM
"I am the Lookout Leader for Strawberry Peak Lookout. I staffed Strawberry Saturday night as long as I could until I was given orders from District Ranger, Allyson Stewart, to evacuate. With the help of three visitors watching the fire, I dropped the shutters, removed the Osborne Fire Finder, grabbed the radio, and evacuated to our lookout office at CDF headquarters in San Bernardino. I personally asked the tanker base coordinator yesterday to paint the mountain at the first opportunity. I wish I could be up there to help further, but I''m back at work in Culver City (I live in Torrance). The tower is nothing compared to all of you who call the mountaintop home. I would prefer them to save your homes and businesses, instead of the tower, but I suspect that due to the communications equipment there, the lookout and radio towers on the peak will survive, as some of you lose your homes. Many of the volunteers who staff the lookout are your friends and neighbors. I suspect that they feel the same way. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you who have visited Strawberry, and have supported it and the six other towers through your donations of money and time. I feel great fear and sorrow for those who have lost, or will lose, their homes and businesses. I watched helplessly from Redrock Wall Overlook (sorry for closing it off - we were under orders) as the Del Rosa neighborhood burned. I had a brief drive through the area Sunday morning. I wish it had never happened. My condolences to all who lost their homes." Richard Whited

Posted: Mon - October 27, 2003 at 02:51 PM      

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