Big Bear and Snow Summit ski areas in California are currently under threat from the Radford Fire that started around 1:30 pm yesterday (Monday, September 5th).ย The cause is still unknown.
The fire has burned around 330acres between the two areas, which are about 100miles east of Los Angeles.ย It is currently 0% contained.
The San Bernardino Sheriffs Department has issued evacuation orders for the area between Glass Road and South Fork River Road, which includes Snow Summit employees.ย The fire has crossed the 2N10 road andย is skirting the far southwest side of the resortย a couple of hundred yards from the structures on the ridge, including ski lifts and ski buildings. Additional strike teams have been requested for structure protection at Snow Summit.
#RadfordFire (3 miles S/O #BigBearLake, San Bernardino NF) – Copter 531 reporting the fire is getting close to the 2N10 road (unsure on distance) & is couple hundred yards from the structures on the ridge, mentioned ski lifts & ski bldgs, reporting heavy torching of trees. pic.twitter.com/5ciUQu5W8g
— CA Fire Scanner (@CAFireScanner) September 6, 2022
The resorts, on the Ikon Pass, have their snow guns primed and ready should the fire advance any further towards them.ย According to calfirescanner, the fire is well established in the Skyline Creek area, just to the west of Snow Summit and sprinklers have been activated by staff.
#RadfordFire (3 miles S/O #BigBearLake, San Bernardino NF) – Sprinklers have been turned on @ the ski resort, that is flowing 1000 gallons or more w/ good defensible space around structures. Employees will be leaving after a couple more sprinkler heads are set up.
— CA Fire Scanner (@CAFireScanner) September 6, 2022
Around 140 firefighting personnel haveย been assigned to the incident, with more requested.