Big Bear is Ablaze 9-15-2007

Butler Peak Fire #2
It started Friday afternoon around 1:21 pm near or around the west side of the Butler Peak Fire that took place over Labor Day nearly 2 weeks ago.
The cause is under investigation so rumors about whether the prior fire known as the Butler Peak Fire had anything to do with it are just that....Rumors.

It is located to the north of Big Bear Lake,Ca.
As of Friday evening it was an estimated 200 acres,but between midnight and 6:00 am it had spread over 2 1/2 miles to the north and had increased in size to 4000 plus acres becoming the highest priority fire incident in the U.S.

The town of Fawnskin has a mandatory evacuation order today 9-15-2007 simply as a precautionary measure. The town lies on the north shore of Big Bear Lake between the lake and the fires location in the mountains above.

Smoke from this fire has been seen in Las Vegas,Nv. And as far away as Utah due to the high winds.The north easterly winds are blowing it away from the lake but fire continues to creep in all directions as the fire creates its own winds due to its size now.

On a positive note,the lake is close enough to the fire for a water source for the many water dropping helicopters that are working the fire from the various agencies.There are so many that one is hovering over the lake filling up and then taking off about every 30 seconds. Its an awesome sight to behold when you consider the precision flying and the coordination between all the various agencies to make it look so easy and safe as I watched them this afternoon. With the Big Bear City Airport here to refuel them in minutes, the helicopters are our #1 tool to fight this fire mainly because of the rugged terrain,steep slopes and limited road access near the fires location.

On the other hand the aircraft dropping retardent have a much longer turn around time due to the fact that they need an airport to land an reload at,and the Big Bear City Airport that lies on the east edge of the lake cant accomodate planes of their size safely I dont think. Or at least I have not seen any land and take off from B.B.C. Airport as of yet. I hope the fire gets contained soon and everyone get to return home in Fawnskin soon.

I live on the south side of Big Bear Lake and will say a prayer for you, and all the brave men and women fighting the fire on the ground and in the air. Good Luck and Take Care Out There.
.....................................................................................
Fire Update 9-15-2007 9:30 pm
The Butler Peak Fire #2... Has Quadrupled in size to 15,433. acres with winds of 20 mph now,and has taken a westerly turn through the San Bernardino National Forest.
Forcing the evacuation of the Green Valley Lake community to the west of Big Bear Lake.At last report it was 5 percent contained with more than 600 firefighters battling the blaze now.The 6 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft working on the fire are not allowed to fly at night for safety reasons,so its just the ground personal until dawn....


Big Bear Fire