Updates since 5:15 pm (PDT)


The Battle is incredibly intense; will be for quite some time.
The smoke is so bad, air support will be very limited. Time is not on our side now.



- A few select people are trying to get back into the mountains via the back roads. This is dangerous.

- The fire in Devore has grown VERY quickly. Keep an eye on this one as well. CBS2 just showed video of a Fire-Tornado.

- South of Lake Gregory, there are some hot spots that are being responded to.

- CBS2: Watching coverage, retardant is being dropped in the Lake Arrowhead area for preparation purposes. The winds are still a "roll of the dice." The Rim Forest area has added a few more structures to its list. RHS was in ok shape earlier, but the winds are causing havoc back and forth. This fire is moving incredibly fast now. The smoke is going over Lake Arrowhead which will bring an early sunset, which will hinder air support. (The winds need to blow South.) They are still working on making the retardant line in Lake Arrowhead. There are hot spots around from yesterday, but they are being handled (all over). The communication towers in Heaps Peak are still being looked after by air drops.

- Crews are coordinating evacuations paths and more air drops. They are working on saving communication towers with retardant.

- Can someone email me with any information on the ACTUAL Rim Forest and Rim High School area? I am aware of Sky Forest and Kuffel Canyon. The lumber trees in Santa Village's extended parking lot.

- Chuck Henry's TV van was burned up. He and his cameraman were saved. (It is not worth it, man!)

- "Just talked to Jensens. Blue Jay and Cedar Glen are BOTH open and whatever the firefighters need they will GIVE THEM. That is available right now!!! If anyone has access to the people in the comm center you might want to spread this information." [Message Board]

- Factual information for the Crestline area from an eyewitness: In Top Town, there is minimal damage. Driving to Downtown, the Christian Science Church is ok, as well as the gas station and Crestline Tow. Downtown is clear as well. There are some firefighting crews and equipment repleneshing and resting. There is water support by Goodwins. Looking across Lake Gregory, the communications tower can be seen; however, south of that, there is a red glow of fire is over the ridge. The smoke is tannish and grey, not as a crown fire. The eyewitness saw 4 tanker passes for this glow within 10 minutes. There was not a lot of time to inspect individual areas, but there is some "breathing space" with respect to Crestline.

- The east fire (Running Springs to Big Bear) has not crossed some main spots yet, but it is on top of the ridge. There are crews to work with air attacks. This fire is moving EXTREMELY FAST as seen on TV.

- Air drops are continuing at a pounding pace. We keep hoping for a shift in winds to blow south.

- Last night, at least 3 homes on Bridle Path [ABC7] perished. 20 total in Rim Forest area, including Bear Springs Rd. Our sincere condolences for all the families. We live right down the block.

- They are still using backfires to battle the fire.

- 7 airplanes and 12 choppers. Over 1600 personnel.

Posted: Tue - October 28, 2003 at 10:14 AM      

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