BIG BEAR, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> San Bernardino National Forest Fire crews are schedule to prescribed burn (under a controlled burn) in the Big Bear area in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Crews plan to treat up to 20 acres directly adjacent to the lower end of the Moonridge neighborhood, near the intersection of Club View Dr., and Willow Ave., south of Bear Bear Lake beginning Friday, March 25, 2022. Reducing dead and down woody debris will make the area safer for firefighters to work behind homes in the event of a wildfire. Crews will remain on scene throughout the day as the fire continues to smolder and show smoke before mopping up.

The area will not close to the public, but visitors should exercise caution when using the Bristlecone (1E32), Fall Line (1E30) and Fern (1E31) trails.

More broadcast prescribed burning is planned for later this winter and spring, including near Big Bear Lake, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs and Angelus Oaks. Pile burning, which is done for fuels clearance around Forest Service facilities or before areas can be treated with a broadcast approach, will also occur throughout the Forest. To date, over 80 acres of pile burning has been accomplished this season. Notices for the larger and more noticeable projects will be published in press releases, social media and the Forest’s website.

The control burn is scheduled to begin Friday morning through the night of March 25, 2022, if the weather conditions are safe for a productive control fire burn. The weather reports are predicted to be cool not to warm with light wind and expected limit smoke dispersion into the communities, but resident and visitors should be aware the smell and see smoke may be noticeable next week.

Smoke and flames may be visible from the Big Bear area and on Highway 18 throughout each day/night. Please don’t call 911 to report smoke or flames in this area only. Firefighter are on scene working. Thank you.

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