Valley, San Bernardino

Valley, San Bernardino NF. Two miles west of Forest Falls, CA. Timber and chaparral. Minimal fire behavior. Area and trail closures in effect.

July 12, 2018 at 9:46 AM

Fire size and containment remain unchanged. Fire behavior moderated yesterday due to rain that came with high relative humidity and precipitation. Crews finished chipping and clearing brush along highway 38. All handline is complete, and dozer line construction along the west side of the fire is nearly complete. Crews are working with resource specialists to stabilize all hand and dozer line. Today air resources will continue cooling hot spots along the fire’s edge and in remote areas inaccessible to ground resources. Today’s weather forecast includes a chance of thunderstorms beginning late morning. Under current conditions, there is low potential for fire growth; however as fuels dry, fire activity may increase. Some firefighting personnel and equipment will be released over the next few days, but some resources will remain to continue rehabilitation work, monitor the fire, and respond if conditions change

Road Status:

• Highway 38 is open to two lanes of traffic. Flaggers will be present tomorrow from 7 A.M. until 3 P.M. while road crews continue to clean up debris from mud flows which occurred on July 7th.
• Please use caution and drive slowly while in the vicinity. Fire personnel and equipment will still be present and working along the roads. “Be Cautious”

Trail Closures:

All portions of the San Gorgonio Wilderness managed by USDA Forest Service are closed to entry. This includes the Momyer Trail, Vivian Creek Trail, San Bernardino Peak Trail, Forsee Creek Trail, South Fork Trail, and Aspen Grove Trail.

July 10, 2018 at 8:07 PM

Residents with ID and proof of residency are allowed through the Hwy 38 @Bryant Street closure to access Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, and Angelus Oaks. Angelus Oaks residents will have a pilot car escort from Valley of the Falls Drive to Angelus Oaks. The pilot car escort will continue 24 hrs per day until further notice.

Highway 38 is open from Big Bear, CA, to the intersection with Sugar Pines Circle in Angelus Oaks. Public campgrounds and organizational camps are open, however, this area is only accessible from Big Bear, utilizing Hwy 330 to Hwy 18, and then south on Hwy 38.

All trails / trailheads entering the San Gorgonio Wilderness area are closed, including Momyer Trail, Vivian Creek Trail, San Bernardino Peak Trail, Forsee Creek Trail, South Fork Trail, and Aspen Grove Trail. Additionally, all recreation facilities in the Forest Falls area are closed.

Current Situation: The fire remains unchanged at 1,348 acres and 13% containment. Minimal fire growth is expected to the north into the San Gorgonio Wilderness. This terrain is rugged and steep with a risk of burning logs and rocks rolling downhill. The fire is burning in chaparral and large timber in an area that has no significant fire history. Conditions remain challenging for firefighters with high temperatures and accessibility to and within the area. Fuels are drying out from Saturday’s storm and fuels are drier than usual for this time of year due to recent drought history. Thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon on Tuesday and winds may push the fire and increase the risk of flash flooding.

July 9, 2018 at 7:25 PM

Moderate fire behavior with creeping and uphill runs
State Hwy 38 from Lake Williams Blvd to Angelus Oaks is open to residents and campers
Public campgrounds are open
Evacuation for Forest Falls has been lifted
Steep terrain and weather hampering suppression efforts
Unified Command USFS, CAL FIRE, San Bernardino County Fire, San Bernardino Sheriff

July 8, 2018 at 8:00 PM

Forest Falls evacuation will be lifted at 8 p.m.
– Closure of Hwy 38 at Bryant remains in effect
– Access to Forest Falls and Mountain Home to residents ONLY with proof of residency (no campers).
– Hwy 38 closed between Forest Falls and Angelus Oaks
– Closure of Hwy 38 from Big Bear will be lifted for residents and campers (forest campgrounds + org camps) through Angelus Oaks.
– Hwy 38 will be closed between Angelus Oaks and Forest Falls.

July 8, 2018 at 7:51 PM

Fire behavior was moderated on some parts of the fire that received light precipitation, but areas that did not receive precipitation will continue to actively burn. Planned actions for tonight: Protect critical infrastructure. Continue line construction.

July 8, 2018 at 9:58 AM

Current Situation: Several thunderstorms passed through the Valley Fire, area, resulting in some flooding and debris flows along Valley of The Falls Drive and Highway 38. However, the higher elevations of the fire have not seen significant rainfall, and continuing to burn. The fire grew slightly yesterday, to 1,139 acres, with 5 percent containment. The fire is moving north and east, higher into the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area., Firefighting resources will continuing to arrive on the fire today, including specialized “Hot Shot” Crews, a 20 person hand crew who are able to work in steep, remote terrain with limited support.

Mandatory evacuations: The Forest Falls Community east of Highway 38 has been evacuated. Structure protection and security are in place if the fire moves toward the community however there has been no structures damaged or destroyed as a result of the Valley Fire.

Evacuation Center: An evacuation center has been opened at Inland Leaders Charter School, 12375 California Street, Yucaipa CA 93299.
Pets may be taken to the Devore Animal Shelter. 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino. Residents of Forest Falls who were not able to evacuate their animals may contact the Devore Animal Shelter at 800-472-5609. The animal shelter will coordinate care and feeding, or relocating animals to the animal shelter.

Recreation Closures: All Trails accessing the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area, all Forest Service / California Land Management (CLM) campgrounds located the Highway 38 corridor in the Jenks Lake Area. A full list of Closed Recreation Sites is available at the San Bernardino National Forest website.

Roads Closures: Highway 38 from Bryant Street (Yucaipa) to Lake Williams Drive (South of Big Bear) closed. Residents of Angelus Oaks are being allowed to enter / leave through the Lake Williams closure point with ID and Proof of Residency; Residents of Mountain Home Village are being allowed through the Bryant Street closure with ID and Proof of Residency. Residents of Forest Falls will not be allowed to access their homes due to the proximity of the fire and a lack of safe access/egress along Valley of the Falls Drive.

July 7, 2018 at 8:50 AM

Current Situation: The Valley Fire started at approximately 1:30 PM on July 6th. The fire is currently 1,000 acres in size, with zero percent containment. The fire is moving north and east, higher into the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. Fire remained active throughout the night, and smoke will be visible to many in the Inland Empire. Firefighting resources will continuing to arrive on the fire today, including Southern California Incident Management Team 2.

Mandatory evacuations: The Forest Falls Community east of Highway 38 has been evacuated. Structure protection and security are in place if the fire moves toward the community.

Evacuation Center: Inland Leaders Charter School-12375 California Street, Yucaipa CA 93299. Pets may be taken to the Devore Animal Shelter. 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino

Recreation Closures: Momyer Trail, Vivian Creek Trail, San Bernardino Peak Trail & Big Falls Picnic Area. A full list of Closed Recreation Sites is available at the San Bernardino National Forest website.

Road Closures: Highway 38 from Bryant Street (Yucaipa) to Lake Williams Drive (South of Big Bear) closed to all access including residents.

Personnel: There are currently over 500 personnel actively fight this fire including 21 Engines, 2 Crews, 1 Water-tender, and 2 Fixed-wings. A Type 2 Management Team as been order to take command of the fire, and will assume command of the fire at 6 PM tonight.

Fire Works: Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forests!

Drones: Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. When drones interfere with firefighting efforts, a wildfire has the potential to grow larger and cause more damage. A FAA Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) may be in effect and any private aircraft or drone that violates the TFR could face serious criminal charges. Even without a TFR, anyone who hampers firefighting efforts could face charges as well. For more information on drones the public can visit the FAA’s website at www.KnowBeforeYouFly.org. “If you fly, we can’t!”

Air Quality:

Light easterly to northeasterly winds are expected to continue through the evening into Saturday afternoon bringing smoke into the central and east San Bernardino Valley. Air quality may reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Group levels or higher in areas directly impacted by smoke.

Areas of direct smoke impacts and Unhealthful air quality may include portions of:

 San Bernardino County: Areas 29 (Banning Pass Area), 34 (Central San Bernardino Valley), 35 (East San Bernardino Valley), 36 (West San Bernardino Mountains), 37 (Central San Bernardino Mountains), and 38 (Big Bear Lake)

In any area impacted by smoke: Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, pregnant women, older adults, and children should remain indoors. Keep windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter. Run your air conditioner if you have one and keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Avoid using a swamp cooler or whole-house fan to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. To avoid worsening the health effects of smoke, don’t use indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces.