[UPDATE]
SMOKE CHECK in BIG BEAR LAKE
Units In The Area Are UTL (Unable To Locate). Per USFS - Lots Of Water Dogs In The Area. Reporting Party Says Whatever It Was Has Dissappated. CANCEL RESPONSE
DETAILS: [Click Here]

MD.. that's what I thought too 🤪

Thx for all of the feedback.

I thought I was in the know, so this was a bit humbling in asking.

I've seen Water Dogs in the past.... But I didn't know that the phenomena had a name. (who'd knew, right?)

Water dogs can also be almost any type of retriever or spaniel...

[INCIDENT DISPATCH]
FU /UNKNOWN TYPE FIRE IN BIG BEAR LAKE - BIG BEAR MARINA (BBL) / PAINE RD BIG BEAR LAKE CITY
DETAILS: [Click Here]

Water dogs are not fire; they are pockets of fog that form after thunderstorms. They can sometimes resemble smoke, leading to confusion during fire incidents. It's important to differentiate between water dogs and actual smoke to avoid unnecessary panic or misreporting of fires.
Record Searchlight
+1

"Water dogs," more accurately known as scud clouds, are not caused by rain itself, but are clouds that can be observed in humid conditions, often after or during a rainstorm. These small, ragged clouds form under the base of a larger cloud and can be caused by rising, humid air that evaporates before reaching the main cloud due to mixing with dry air, or by raindrops breaking up into fragments in highly humid areas.

McToddy: Here is an SCM thread from 2010 on the subject of Water Dogs: [Click Here]

Water dogs are those plumes of steam that rise up and often resemble puffs of smoke. They're quite deceptive sometimes.

So.... What's are "water dogs"?

At first thought it was a type-o... But I see it's mentioned several times over, so it must be a legitimate term

[UPDATE]
VEGETATION FIRE in BIG BEAR LAKE
Per USFS Bat 13 - This Is Mistaken ID; Water Dogs In The Area. False Alarm. Units Cancelling.
DETAILS: [Click Here]

A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for all of the Big Bear Valley at this time due to heavy rainfall in the area. [Click Here]

[UPDATE]
VEGETATION FIRE in BIG BEAR LAKE
Butler Peak Is Reporting Several Water Dogs In The Area Of This Reported Fire. This Is A Common Mistaken ID During Thunderstorms. USFS And Big Bear Will Continue To Check The Area. Putting A Hold On Most Of The Response. Putting A Hold On The Aircraft.
DETAILS: [Click Here]

[INCIDENT DISPATCH]
FGL /SMALL VEGETATION FIRE IN BIG BEAR LAKE - WOF CEDAR CAMP / MILL CREEK RD BIG BEAR LAKE
DETAILS: [Click Here]

Thunder!

[Click Here]