10/30 6:15pm

Huge news!!!! Our cabin is fine!!!! Dart Canyon is FINE!!! Crestline Inn is AOK! This wonderful man, Jerry, went on a run of the entire Crestline area today, checking addresses he was given. He spent 5 hours, and checked out a bunch of neighborhoods! This man is amazing. The most damage he said was to the Mozundar area. The street below us, Ocean View, lost a couple homes.....I will post his entire report below! This is wonderful!

From: Jerry @ Radio Shack Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 5:57 PM Ok, here is THE report from Crestline/VOE/CPP. My wife rode shotgun with me today in order for me to be albe to fill all the information requests. We spent a good 5 hours driving everywhere I was allowed access to. The fog was incredible, and didnt lift until just about when we left, making it very difficult to see. There was a large showing of fire trucks scattered throughout the burn areas making sure that nothing was still smoldering. It was very wet up there (WOOHOO!), drizzled a lot and was very cold and windy. Anyway, on to the specifics....Steve and Sue, cat was fed and watered.....Lynda and her daughter, animals fed, no horse on property, call animal control....Joy, animals fed, Chuck showed up when I was there too, I gained access to your neighbors across the street and fed a very thirsty cat some food/water in their garage, house is locked up tight again and everything is AOK!....Czuleger Cabin, AOK!....Kim, Kathy, Jake, Charlotte and Kaley, AOK!......Chateau off Arosa, AOK!...KCrandell, AOK....George Lawson, AOK....CJ, AOK....Fletch, AOK....Ashley Borg, AOK....Juliette Gibbs, AOK....Joe and Glinda Silvis, AOK.......Miranda Bassford, AOK....Nyssa, AOK....Lily, I went today anyway, AOK!....Claudia French, AOK....Cylinder Head Steve, AOK...Linda, didnt exactly find but that area looked AOK....Aylward 1050Jupiter, AOK....Tammy Faulhorn and Nesthorn, AOK!....Deborah on Zurich, AOK....Crestline Inn area, AOK.....24719 Crest Forest, lost some vehicles, house looked AOK....Susan, Beth''s friend, AOK....Kristen, Davos Dr/Wylerhorn area and everyone above 7-11, AOK...Dorothy, AOK....San Moritz area AOK...anyone inquiring about Dart Canyon, I drove about a mile past Glassworks and everything along there was AOK!....Playground to Camp Paivaka, AOK....Jobs Peak to Lookout was AOK but couldnt go much further as there were fire trucks up there, a firefighter reported that 5 structures were lost at the top, I have no idea what....Top Town is AOK.....Sawpit Canyon area, was not allowed all the way back due to a rockslide, only got up to 21471 Sawpit which was intact....Johnnies Market/Waters area all the way up past Crest Forest was AOK... The Oceanview area was not a total loss as reported on the news, however several homes were sadly destroyed. The Bill Allens and all homes on that side of the street to 24922 were lost (24922 was NOT), directly across from Bill Allens was lost, NOT 25008. 25079 you have slight damage, looks to be only cosmetic to a small portion of your vinyl siding, 25081 AOK, 25047 your house is perfect, however you did lose the garage. 24922, Gregor, where your house hangs over the hillside you have suffered fire damage to the back portion and a structure next to you was lost (not the house for sale, the other side), but I was able to look in a side window and the contents of your home look OK. If you did not see your address here it does not mean your home was destroyed on Oceanview, I was checking against my list and just didnt write yours down.....The Mozumdar area was the hardest hit of all the areas I saw, I cant tell you how sad this is to write. I was only allowed to get so far back in to Mozundar as there were many crews still working the area. I made it down as far as 737 Mozumdar which I am happy to report is still standing, however, everything beyond that was sadly lost. I was not allowed to drive or even walk the area but a Firefighter stopped to talk to me and reported that 13 structures from 737 (NOT 737) to the Temple, including homes on Sand Hill Lane were destroyed or damaged, including the Temple, NOT the Temple of God. The only house I saw that might have been damaged before 737, was 700 Mozumdar but could not gain access down the dirt driveway as crews were all up and down the street and there was a tree down in the road.....I could not find a few places as my maps are not with me and I am certain I have missed a few of you in all this chaos so I apologize for that, but if you see an area above close to where you live please message me and will try to determine if I was there and just didnt realize it. If I remember anything else that can help anyone gain some peace of mind as to the status of their area I will certainly post it here immediately. I will be monitoring this forum for a few hours to try to answer any questions anyone may have. Please give me time to gather information or wait for a few questions before you see an answer from me to avoid clogging up the forum. Peace!

When we all get back to our places, we must find this guy and thank him. Also the guys at the Stockade in town are supplying a lot of information and are taking care of pets that are stranded up there. These are amazing people!

10/29 6:00pm

I am too tired to keep up with this at this hour. I need to rest my mind. The following link is a FANTASTIC site for informaion in the form of message boards! You can get info on ANY area in the mountains!

http://www.rimoftheworld.net/messages/5

Also check out the scanner listening teams at: http://www.rimoftheworld.net/messages/13

And, last but not least, to listen to the scanners, visit: http://www.compucations.com/phpBB2/index.php

10/29 10:00am

UPDATES FROM THE REST OF THE NIGHT:

Moonie Temple has gone.

The Mozumdar Temple is gone (do not know if that is the same as Moonie???)

Pulling back teams from south of the lake.

Units ordered back to Running Springs from snow valley

30 mile an hour winds reported.

Units trying to get into Cedar Pines, need smaller engines to get in.

Big Priority on trying to keep the fire out of Miller Canyon

Mandatory evacuations at Oak Hill.

10/29 3:00am

I am exhausted. I must go to bed. I hope when I wake up in the morning, that there is something left of Crestline & Gregory.....I hate to say it, but it did not sound good at all on the scanners. They were desperately trying to find and wake up strike teams to help! Good night.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIKA!

10/29 2:50am

Some mention of Dart Canyon.....I am going to do some research to see what they were saying. (I think they are using it for travel???)

I hope Crestline, Gregory and Silverwood make it through the night. They are going to wake the rest of the strike teams at 4 & 5 am for a "LAST STAND"

10/29 2:39am

Structures threatened on Crestline Rd, just behind the school and fire station.

10/29 2:027am

Very grim tone on the scanner tonight. It doesn't sound good at all.

"We've got a pretty good fire up here on Crestline Rd, at the school. You might want to wake somebody up and get them up here."

"Sending up a strike team....by the time they get up there, it will be through at least one of these houses" (i believe this is regarding the above statement)

Fire burning at Cliffhanger.

large flames visible between Crestline Drive and Crestline Cutoff

I sugest you use http://www.mapblast.com if you do not know these areas that are under discussion. It has the best map coverage of the entire mountain.

Also, check out this disscussion board. The people on here are VERY informative, and they are all listening to scanners: http://www.rimoftheworld.net/messages/5

10/29 2:05am

Area most in danger at this point is Cedar Pines Park. Starting at extreme northern area. Hit Mojave River Road first, to Breezy Point.

10/29 2:05am

It sounds like command wants everyone (residents) in the path of the Silverwood flare to be awake, alert and ready to leave. Fire crews are making house calls now.

10/29 1:56am

Other locals I have talked to online are VERY worried about Crestline at the moment. I am not listening to the same scanners as them, so I can not confirm what is going on.

Trying to find 24099 Lake View Drive, however the last address that can be found on the street is 24098?????

"Get out of the Julian area, the high school will be the safe zone."

10/29 1:42am

From the sounds of it, there is very little they can do to prevent the Silverwood fire from burning back up in the "switchbacks" (i don't know that term?) and into Crestline/ Gregory area.

There are requests that a few "KEY" people be woken up, regardless of their being off shift. This sounds VERY serious, and is quite alarming.

Reports of residents not being allowed back into Crestline until possibly Saturday or Sunday! Hopefully the news will cover the damaged homes.

Confirmed reports that all of Sawpit Canyon has been taken by the fire, despite the efforts to save the homes.

Not hearing ANYTHING about Arrowhead or Blue Jay.

10/29 1:35am

Edison confirms that all powerlines are de-energized in the Crestline area.

Fire is burning uphill toward 330. They estimate that in around one hour the fire may reach the highway. (Running Springs)

10/29 1:28am

Apparently what they were saying about the Silverwood fire is that it is not looking very good for that area, and there is not much they will be able to do about it tonight.

Crestline and Lake Gregory areas are in extreme danger once again. SORRY!

Mile High area has been evacuated, and they are now working on the North Crestline area.

There is a lot of discusion over Crestline at the moment. Apparently there are some last minute residents that need to "get out". They will use the 18

Confirmed Running Springs structure fire.

10/29 1:20am

According to AM 640, the fire has not reached Running Springs yet.

Storrybook In is still standing. The news was incorrect on report of it being destroyed.

''The fire is moving very slowly at this time and appears to be moving in the area of the arboretum at highway 18.''

Curently the scanner is reporting that the fire has jumped 138 @ miller canyon. They are worried about the stewart treatment plant. they are talking about trying to stop it from crossing the switch backs up 138 into crestline. Crestline structure protection unit has been notified. This is confirmed info. There is much disscusion going back and forth.

A fire has been established down by Silverwood. They don't seem to see the need to do much fighting against it tonight....Then some garbled information, with mention of Crestline. Sorry, I couldn't understand them.

Fire has progressed up toward Fletcher Point.

Trying to spare houses in Pine Ridge. Attempting to keep it up on the sides????

Lytle Creek residents are being allowed back in with i.d. (near devore)

10/28 7:40pm

Highway 138/ Lake Silverwood is on fire. 40 acres. They are trying to put it out early.

- Fire officials are EXTREMELY concerned that the two flanks (SkyForest & Running Springs) will conjoin and create more havoc during the night (they assume this is inevitable). The fire has NOT reached Lake Arrowhead just yet, but it is jumping all over the place by Rim High School crossing 18 back and forth. [Chuck Henry, NBC4]

- Big Bear update: Traffic evacuating on Highway 18 are moving at a slow but steady pace. Some people have gone back to their homes because traffic was so thick; they did not want to spend the evening on the road (there are over 80,000 in the mountain communities). Speeds pick up after the hairpin turns. [Radha Khalsa]

Crestline: Homes off of Crest Forest Drive at Saturn Way, Jupiter & Venus are reported to be burned or damaged.

Reports of Willie Woods, the Presbyterian Church camp on fire.

10/28 6:32pm

According to AM 640, the fire seems to be moving east of Lake Arrowhead. Hopefully that is factual, and if it is, that may be good news for Arrowhead.

Vegas fire fighters have made it to the top of the mountain to help.

10/28 4:55pm

Things are not looking good for the mountain. BIG BEAR UNDER MANDATORY EVACUATION. The whole mountain is being cleared off. I can not access the scanners...everyone is using them at this point. The fire is not leting up.

Fire is crowning now at the top of Lake Arrowhead. There is little air coverage. The fight is litterally "on".

- 80 percent of aerial tactics have been called off tonight for Lake Arrowhead due to columns of smoke. [NBC4]

- NBC 4 news is reporting that police have found an abandoned van that matches the description of the arsonists'' van. [Robert Daeley]
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/2586925/detail.html

- 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.

Communication towers are being pretreated with retardent from air drops in an effort to save them.

- "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]

- 7 airplanes and 12 choppers. Over 1600 personnel. [Message Board]

Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this disaster. As another message board posted (this board has been wonderful in providing me MUCH of my information, asside from the scanners.)....PRAY HARD!

Santa's Village Parking lot was on fire earlier in the day. Do not know what the current status is.

10/28 9:45am

Last night sounded like a difficult struggle for the firefighters. As of now, the fire is being held at Rim of the World High School. They started backfire, and as of now, it is working! Unfortunately, approximately 20 structures were lost in direct vicinity to Strawberry Peak.

Arrowhead and Blue Jay are okay for now. Firefighters are optimistic for the time being, but warn that if the winds change, so could the danger.

Firefighters are frustrated and tired because they are doing everything they can, but their resources are stretched. They have not eaten since yesterday.

Voluntary evacuations are being extended toward Big Bear.

10/28 2:00am

- I heard the first update... a chief said he just drove 189 ''all the way down'' and the fire hadn''t crossed it at all, and it was ''holding at the top of the ridge'' -- presumably near Strawberry Peak." [message board]

-From: Julie Fietz, HBMC Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 12:40 AM As Secretary of Horseshoe Bend Mountain Club, I am trying to confirm reports that three cabins in our area were burned (two on Crest Forest Dr. and one on Great View Dr). These would be in the 24300 to 24800 blocks, that''s the area between Skyland and Arrowhead Highlands. You may Email me at jcfietz@dslextreme.com. I will gladly relay the information to the homeowners in our association. [message board]

Welfare check for 417 Grizzly Road in Lake Arrowhead. It seems as though someone is still there.

The 4 men have been found and are being taken out of danger. They said they were hiking down from Big Bear.

- Moving on from the Lumber Yard to the Tire Shop (Pine Ave area).

- "just spoke to a deputy, He went by Ultramar about 25 minutes ago and it was still ok; fire teams fighting. Twin peaks is still ok at the police station as well as homes on Sun Set." [message board]

"Horseshoe has started, and is working well"....I am assuming some sort of fighting strategy.

10/28 1:45am

118 is now blocked with a landslide. All equipment is now to come up 330. More strike teams on their way.

Firefighters are exhausted, but hanging on.

10/28 1:33am

The scanners have slowed down! A lot of talk of traveling on the 189. (the fire is between the 18 & 189 @ Twin Peaks)

They are trying to bring in more crews....i believe the say it will be at least 12 hours, but I could be mixing that up with something else.

The major battle is between Twin Peaks and Rim Forest. It doesn't sound very good, but they are putting up a fight.

There are some residents who refuse to leave. Authorities are trying to get extra cars up to take them out. There are 4 guys east of Arboreum who are hiding from them and trying to get down into Twin Peaks. They are trying to find their names, DOB and dentists.

The high school is still the headquarters for the fight, howeer firefighters are now traveling on 189 because 18 is blockd by a downed tree. Trying to get in position to save homes in Twin Peaks.

Strawberry Peak tower is still intact with smoldering debris around it. Gate to the tower is passable.

10/28 12:49am

138 to Silverwood is still open.

Hwy 18 is blocked to Rim of the World High.

Losing structures in Rim Forest.

10/28 12:21am

West of Lumberyard is in flames. Lumberyard itself is in danger. Structure protection is going into place.

10/28 12:12am

Front of fire at Strawberry Peak Road is "Laying Down". Not moving at same pace.

10/27 11:45pm

According to the scanners. Bear Springs Rd in Twin Peaks is up in flames. The town of Twin Peaks is burning. This part of the fire is burning upward to Strawberry Peak. It is 1/4 of the way up Strawberry Peak Dr. From Bear Springs.

Flames are now burning at the tops of the trees, causing the fire to move at a faster pace...and making it very dangerous.

Fire has jumped the 18 @ 189 in Pine Crest.

Also has jumped 18 @ Strawberry Peak.

RIM FOREST on fire. Structures burning. Has not gone south of 18. (According to Running Springs Fire Chief)

fire is on both sides of 18, headed toward Blue Jay.

Devils Canyon is burning on the edge from the Devore side.

Fire is burning 1/2 mile south of Running Springs in Sawpit Canyon.

Skyforest and Crest Park are said to be in flames (not an official fact).