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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Officials with San Bernardino National Forest today announced a forest order creating the Valley Fire Closure Area. The order, effective Saturday, July 14, 2018, temporarily closes a portion of the San Gorgonio Wilderness to all entry due to hazards presented by the Valley Fire near Forest Falls, CA. The order will last until the fire is declared out or until officials re-evaluate conditions and make modifications.
The closure area includes trails, such as Vivian Creek, Momyer, San Bernardino Peak, Forsee Creek, South Fork and Aspen Grove. It does not affect areas outside the wilderness, such as the Big Falls Trail and the Falls Picnic Area. A map of the closure area is available online.
Nearly 650 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE, San Bernardino County Fire and other cooperating agencies worked to slow the fire's spread over the last week, however extremely steep terrain and difficult access have prevented crews from achieving full containment. There are currently 472 personnel assigned to the incident.
Residents and visitors to the area will continue to see smoke for the coming weeks.
Hikers with questions about the closure can call the Mill Creek Visitor Center at 909-382-2882, Thursdays through Mondays. To keep updated on the Valley Fire, check InciWeb, the forest Twitter account and the Valley Fire Updates Facebook group.
nothing in life is free, it ain't about easy it's about tough
"We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible" Vince Lombardi
"Faith is not about everything turning out OK; Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out."
Below is the final fire perimeter map provided by Southern California Incident Management Team Two. As of 6am this morning Valley Fire management transitioned from the Southern California Type 2 Incident Management Team to the San Bernardino National Forest Type 3 Incident Management Team.
Click image to enlarge
nothing in life is free, it ain't about easy it's about tough
"We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible" Vince Lombardi
"Faith is not about everything turning out OK; Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out."
Management of Valley Fire transitions back to San Bernardino National Forest.
SAN BERNARDINO, California, July 16, 2018 – Management of the Valley Fire has transferred from a Type 2 incident management team to the San Bernardino National Forest, Front Country Ranger District.
Ten days after it started, management of the Valley Fire has returned to the San Bernardino National Forest. More than 120 fire personnel remain assigned to the fire to patrol and extinguish hot spots along the fire lines, with 4 hand crews, 4 engines, 3 helicopters, 2 water tenders, and support personnel assigned. These resources are available to respond to new incidents upon request. Expect to see smoke from the fire in the upcoming days, possibly weeks, as heavy fuels continue to burning within the fire interior. Smoke may be visible to residents of local communities and to motorists along Highway 38.
National Weather Service forecasts indicate the possibility of thunderstorms generating periods of heavy precipitation in the fire area through Thursday. Should thunderstorms occur over the fire area, an increased risk of flooding and debris flows may resulting in the closure of affected roads. Travelers are urged to use caution, be alert, and be patient.
The Valley Fire began on July 6th, causing road closures and evacuation orders in the Forest Falls area. Currently the fire remains 1,348 acres with 29% containment.
nothing in life is free, it ain't about easy it's about tough
"We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible" Vince Lombardi
"Faith is not about everything turning out OK; Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out."
Valley Fire remains active as hotter and drier weather approaches
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Fifteen days after it started, the Valley Fire is still active in very steep, rugged terrain, difficult and dangerous for firefighters. Fire activity has been minimal over the last week, but smoke may increase as hotter and drier weather conditions persist. Firefighters will continue to patrol and extinguish hot spots and aircraft may be used to reinforce containment lines.
Expect to see smoke from the fire in the upcoming days, possibly weeks, as heavy fuels continue to burn within the fire interior. Smoke may be visible to residents of Forest Falls, other local communities and to motorists along Highway 38.
The National Weather Service forecasts seasonally warm weather through the weekend and warns of excessive heat next week. Should thunderstorms occur over the fire area, an increased risk of flooding and debris flows may result in the closure of Highway 38, Valley of the Falls Drive and any other impacted roads. Travelers are urged to use caution, be alert and be patient.
The Valley Fire began during record hot temperatures on July 6, causing road closures and evacuation orders in the Forest Falls area.
Currently the fire remains 1,348 acres with 29% containment. For more information, please visit [Click Here] and follow the forest on Facebook or Twitter. nothing in life is free, it ain't about easy it's about tough
"We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible" Vince Lombardi
"Faith is not about everything turning out OK; Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out."
According to the National Interagency Coordination Center the estimated containment date for the Valley Fire is now November 1st 2018. nothing in life is free, it ain't about easy it's about tough
"We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible" Vince Lombardi
"Faith is not about everything turning out OK; Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out."
Registered Member #228 Joined: Sun Dec 17 2006, 07:41AM : Posts: 3258
Anyone have an update on the acreage for this fire. The big news on tv and radio is, of course, the Redding Fire and the Idylwild fire, followed by the Cranston? (Yosemite) fire.
Registered Member #13568 Joined: Sun Oct 23 2016, 01:54PM : Posts: 1506
Cranston is the one near Idylwild and Ferguson is the one near Yosemite.
Latest stat on Valley Fire:Incident Type: Wildfire Updated: 7 hrs. ago Size: 1,350 Acres Contained: 30% ----------------------------
Meridian Idaho Weather
Valley Fire is up to 56% containment and holding at 1350 acres. Helicopters continue drops as needed. Air attack is doing additional IR mapping as there have been a few hot spots, specifically in Frustration Creek below San Bernardino Peak. FOLLOW @BENSWEATHER ON TWITTER! OR FOR LOCAL WEATHER [Click Here]
#### Valley Fire containment increases, some hiking areas to reopen ####
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Containment on the Valley Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains has been increased to 82% from 56%, officials with San Bernardino National Forest announced today. The 1,350-acre fire, which started on July 6 near Forest Falls, CA, continues to burn in steep, inaccessible terrain. Ground and air resources remain assigned to the fire and its cause is still under investigation.
The increase in containment has prompted a new forest order, which reduces the footprint of the Valley Fire Closure Area beginning Wednesday, August 15, 2018. The new order allows a number of popular trails, backcountry campsites and destinations to be accessed again in the San Gorgonio Wilderness of Sand to Snow National Monument, which is co-managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
Trails to reopen include Vivian Creek Trail, the popular route to the summit of San Gorgonio Mountain, the highest in Southern California at approximately 11,500 feet, and South Fork Trail, which brings hikers to its eponymous meadows and a couple of lakes.
Trail closures that remain include the wilderness portions of San Bernardino Peak Trail, including the peak itself, Momyer Trail (pronounced Mo-Meyer) and Foresee Creek Trail, including John's Meadow.
A map of the new Valley Fire Closure Area is attached.
"I want to thank the public for their patience during the closure over the last month," said Front Country District Ranger Joe Rechsteiner. "The remaining closure area is for the public's safety. If the fire flares up and heads deeper into the wilderness, visitors could be put at risk. Unlike areas along Highway 38, getting firefighters into the wilderness can take longer."
The closure area is set to expire on December 31, 2018, but Rechsteiner and staff will continually revisit the possibility of reducing the footprint based on increased containment and conditions on the ground.
Residents and visitors to the area may continue to see smoke coming from the burn area.
Hikers with questions about the closure can call the Mill Creek Visitor Center at 909-382-2882, Thursdays through Mondays or the forest headquarters at 909-382-2600 Mondays through Fridays. To keep updated on the Valley Fire, check InciWeb, the forest Twitter account and the Valley Fire Updates Facebook group.
Like a lot of people, we have been canceled by Foremost Insurance. Who is everyone else using now? We did try to reach out to the gentleman at Allstate, but he never got back to us with a quote, and our policy is expiring in a little more than a month. We're out in Baldwin, just beneath God's Eye. Any help is much appreciated!
Hwy 247 At Rattlesnake Cyn (between Lucerne Valley And Landers) - Major T.c. - Requesting Medical Helicopter 285 Out Of Big Bear **expect Delays** More Info: [Click Here]
Significant Delays Being Reported Highway 18 In The Arctic Circle Between The Big Bear Dam And Snow Valley Due To Traffic Accident. More Info: [Click Here]
E50 On Scene Hwy 18 East Of Lakeview Point - 2 Vehicle Traffic Accident - Minor To Moderate Damage - 1 Patient With Minor Injuries **expect Delays** More Info: [Click Here]
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VALLEY FIRE: HWY 38 BETWEEN MTN HOME VILLAGE AND FOREST FALLS
Don't you age 2 to 1 in Idaho? Now that you made it this far..... what's next?? 
Have a great one and many more!