Stranded in SNOWSTORM
San Bernardino Mountains
San Bernardino County Fire Employs
Snow Cats & Dozers to
Reach Trapped Victims
A cold winter storm that brought heavy snow to the San
Bernardino Mountains crippled motorists traveling between the High Desert and
mountain communities late Tuesday evening, December 31, 2014, leading to a
widespread rescue effort by firefighters near the communities of Crestline and
Mt. Baldy that went on into early Wednesday morning.
Near Crestline, a total of 136 motorists in dozens of
vehicles became stranded on the steep, snowy switchbacks on State Route 138
from one mile north of Old Mill Road to Pilot Rock. As motorists quickly
discovered they were stuck, calls came in to County Fire for rescue.
An incident command post was established, and County Fire
crews from the High Desert, Crest Forest and Lake Arrowhead began to count the
stranded and check for injuries. No serious collisions or medical emergencies were
initially reported.
A total of 50 rescued persons were eventually sheltered at
the First Baptist Church in Crestline. Some motorists were either able to
eventually drive away as plows cleared snow on the periphery of the incident.
Still others abandoned their vehicles and walked to shelter or were able to
reach their homes.
County Fire Snow-Cat apparatus, similar to the machines
often seen grooming ski trails, were used to navigate the snowy roads. Staffed
with firefighter/paramedics, these crews began to retrieve the stranded. A
shelter was established at Crestline First Baptists Church, where Red Cross
personnel were eventually able to reach them to provide comfort supplies.
Near Mount Baldy, approximately 50 people were stranded in
similar conditions, primarily in two separate locations. Near the Mt. Baldy ski
area, approximately 25 stranded people were stranded; meanwhile, further down
the mountain near Mt. Baldy Village, another two dozen motorists awaited
rescue. Eventually a total of 40 persons were sheltered at Mt. Baldy Lodge.
Others were shuttled down the hill to Fire Station 12 in San Antonio Heights as
a more permanent shelter was established.
Rescue operations were completed by 3:00 A.M. Wednesday, the
last day of 2014. San Bernardino County Fire reminds motorists to dress
appropriate for winter weather and to carry additional food, water and blankets
in their vehicle when traveling.