RAINBOW LANE Good News

Ø  September 23, 2020 4:30 P.M

Yucaipa, CA  __ As a result of firefighters gaining additional containment on the El Dorado Fire over the past several days, incident commanders have allowed for the opening of Rainbow Lane near Onyx Summit. Access must be made through Big Bear. Residents will be allowed access to this community with proper identification. 

Please note that State Route 38 will remain closed from Bryant Avenue, to post mile marker 37, two miles southwest of Onyx Summit.  

The communities of Angeles Oaks, and Seven Oaks remain under an Evacuation Order. Incident commanders are assessing the risk to affected communities daily.  Firefighters are working hard in the area and conditions are improving. 

Residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls have been allowed to return but remain under an evacuation warning.  

Incident commanders wish to thank the local communities for patience, understanding and support as firefighters continue their efforts to fully contain the El Dorado Fire.  

Hand Crews: 11    Helicopters: 8

Engines: 124         Dozers: 12

Water Tenders: 10

Total Personnel: 1,190

Injuries:  13     Fatality: 1

Structures Thr  eatened:  26,031               Residence: Damaged 4 Destroyed: 5                        Other Str:  Damaged 4 Destroyed: 6                                                                          

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

Overnight, fire activity lessened due to cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Firefighters continue to find hot spots up slope from State Route 38 below the 5000’ level and near the west fork of Barton Creek. Firefighters continue to build and re-enforce containment lines, attack flare ups and mop-up. While, good progress is being made in these critical areas, trees that are burning out could fall across containment lines. Crews are addressing these hazardous trees throughout the day.

Fuels remain critically dry, spot fires, and rolling hot material continue to be of concern as containment lines remain at risk due to hot rolling material along the SR-38 corridor. 

The large rock and debris slide that had caused the closure of State Route 38 between mile marker 16 and 17 has somewhat stabilized with less rocks coming down onto the roadway. The highway remains open only to emergency vehicles. Caltrans continues to patrol the highway and clear rocks and debris.   

The El Dorado Fire started on September 5, 2020, in El Dorado Park located in the Yucaipa/Oak Glen area of Southern California, which is protected by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE. Prior to the fire, Southern California was experiencing a series of heat waves. On the day of the fire, there was record breaking temperatures across the region. Due to the dry conditions and grass covered hills, the fire spread rapidly onto Forest Lands in the San Bernardino National Forest. With a record number of fires throughout California, fire resources were limited. 

 WEATHER: High pressure will continue across the area through the end of the week with dry conditions. Winds will be generally light with typical daytime patterns Temps in the fire area are forecasted to be 79-84 degrees. 

ROAD CLOSURES: State Route 38 between Bryant Street to the south and Onyx Summit to the north. Residents of Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village will be allowed through with proof of residency.

EVACUATIONS: Incident commanders continue daily to assess the risk to effected communities. firefighters are working hard in the area and conditions are improving; however, evacuation orders remain in effect for residents from Angelus Oaks up to Onyx Summit. Residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls have been allowed to return but, remain under an evacuation warning.

Please monitor official sources for any changes: San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit, and San Bernardino County Fire. 

Residents, as you return home, please keep in mind that there will be firefighting personnel, heavy equipment and other cooperators working in the area and be aware of existing hazards.

Please drive with EXTREME caution. Slow down, do not tailgate, obey all traffic laws and expect possible traffic delays.  

TRAVEL NOTES: The El Dorado Fire Unified Incident Commanders continue to ask visitors for their understanding and consider rescheduling planned visits to the Big Bear Valley due to fire activity. 

Please check the Big Bear Fire Department Travel Advisory for the reasons why: https://bigbearfire.com/

Evacuation Orders remain in effect for residents from Angelus Oaks up to Onyx Summit. Residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls have been allowed to return but, remain under an evacuation warning. There is NO evacuation directive for Big Bear residents AT THIS TIME. Please monitor official sources for any changes: San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit and San Bernardino County Fire.

Residents as you return home, please keep in mind that there will be firefighting personnel, heavy equipment and other cooperators working in the area and be aware of existing hazards. Please drive with EXTREME caution. Slow down, do not tailgate, obey all traffic laws and expect possible traffic delays.

Ø  Evacuation informatiotps://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9b818cd8a7a24c9a96361f5fc3be0803

Ø  Be prepared for disaster. The Ready San Bernardino County app will help you prepare and plan for how to respond to a disaster in your area. https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RECREATION CLOSURES: All four Forests in Southern California, the Cleveland, San Bernardino, Angeles, and Los Padres remain closed to all public use due to the extreme fire conditions and critical limitations on firefighting resources.

RETURNING HOME AFTER A WILDFIRE: Although wildfire damage can be immeasurable, the danger is not over after the flames are put out. Flash flooding and debris flows, structural damage, road instability, and damaged trees are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. ReadyforWildFire.org 

Regional Order No. 20-12 Emergency Forest Closure

Ø  Be prepared for disaster. The Ready San Bernardino County app will help you prepare and plan for how to respond to a disaster in your area. https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/