Radford Fire: Looking good, but ‘not out of the woods’
Update Saturday night: Conditions continue to improve on the Radford Fire, which holds at 1,088 acres with 65% containment. The effects of Hurricane Kay dropped about an inch of rain in the Big Bear area on Saturday. Showers and storms are expected through Monday.
Update Thursday night: Today's rain showers over the Radford Fire south of Big Bear Lake helped reduce fire activity. The fire is at 1,088 acres with 40% containment, the San Bernardino National Forest Service reported.
Isolated showers associated with Hurricane Kay in the Pacific is helping firefighters to battle the Radford Fire, which began on Labor Day south of Big Bear Lake.
Light rain fell in the Big Bear area on Thursday morning and more is expected as the weakening hurricane near the Baja California Peninsula heads north and off the coast of Southern California.
The Radford fire on Thursday afternoon continued to hold at about 1,100 acres with 2% containment, which was reported the previous day.
“Rain still looks likely for the weekend,” said local Meteorologist Ben Brissey. “Thankfully any lightning should be accompanied by soaking rains.”
The National Weather Service on Thursday issued a flood watch from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening for portions of Southern California, including Big Bear, the San Bernardino Mountains, Apple Valley, Lucerne Valley and the Coachella Valley.
Kay is expected to bring heavy rainfall, up to 2-inches, in areas like Big Bear, Beaumont and the Coachella Valley. The Victor Valley should pick up about an inch of rain, the NWS said.
The fire continues to burn north of State Route 38 and generally between Bear Mountain and Snow Summit ski resorts.
There have been no reported injuries or structures lost due to the Radford Fire.
The ignition source of the fire is currently under investigation.
Radford Fire Community Meeting
On Thursday afternoon, agency officials spoke to the public during the Radford Fire Community Meeting at Big Bear Lake City Hall- Performing Arts Center.
A repeated phrase heard by fire officials at the meeting was that “things were looking good,” but “We’re not out of the woods.”
Fire officials said the “stubborn and complex” fire was prevented from further spread by fire lines carved out nearly a decade ago.
A current dozer line was created around the perimeter of the fire and spot fires have been prevented from jumping fire lines.
Concerns shared by agency officials included possible flash floods and expected 30 to 40 mph wind gusts coming from Hurricane Kay over the next few days.
Fire, law enforcement and elected officials at the meeting had a celebratory tone as they thanked the community and responding agencies for their assistance in battling the fire.
The meeting was also streamed live online at facebook.com/bigbearfire.
Evacuation orders downgraded
Previously closed State Route 38 is now open, according to a CHP official.
As of 1 p.m. on Thursday, all previously issued evacuation orders were downgraded to “evacuation warnings,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials announced.
Evacuation warning areas include Glass Road to South Fork Road and Beverly Lane south to Forest Service Roads 2N10 and 2N08 west to Castlerock.
Also, Summit Boulevard east to Club View and Evergreen Drive south; and Club View east to Angels Camp Road and Vine Avenue south to Lassen Drive.
Summit Boulevard east to McAllister Road, east of Highway 18, and Fox Farm Road south to Evergreen Road.
These areas are open to residents only. Please use caution when returning to your homes and be mindful of emergency personnel and equipment still working in the area, sheriff’s officials said.
The Radford Fire
Dubbed the Radford Fire, the blaze was first reported at around 1:30 p.m. on Labor Day north of the residential and business areas of Big Bear Lake, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
Multiple-fire agencies from the ground and air began attacking the fire, which had grown to 200 acres, with 0% containment, just after 7:30 p.m. on Monday, the U.S. Forest Service reported.
Agencies responding to the fire include the U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire, the Big Bear Fire Department, California Interagency Incident Management Team 11, and the SBC Fire and Sheriff’s departments.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Radford Fire holds at 1,100 acres near Big Bear; rain falls in the area
