Snow players invade Wrightwood

[Wrightwood]

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Sabrina De Nunzio
42 mins

Really? In the snow...why? Who is going to see it on the side of the hill in the sheep creek wash. I took my fingers and destroyed their tasteless art. Sad.

[Tall Trees]

Who do think would something like this in the Forest?

[Chuck]

Deputy Molly at an almost never ending job today

[ezzpete]

Who do think would something like this in the Forest?

We all know, but nobody wants to say. At least it's not on a tree or rock.

[Elk]

[Chuck]

Don't drive without 4 wheel, all wheel  or chains in conditions you shouldn't  Don't block roads.  Deputy Molly Leiker's partner here 

[Wrightwood]

It's not only Wrightwood
Forest Falls community concerned about traffic, threats from visitors

Watch Video here

By Leticia Juarez
Tuesday, January 24, 2017 10:37PM
FOREST FALLS, Calif. (KABC) --
The mountain community of Forest Falls is considering limiting the number of people who enter their area to check out the snow in an effort to keep threats and traffic nightmares down.

On Tuesday, only residents were allowed to get into the city, which has left streets empty, but that could all change over the weekend.

Residents said that is when visitors descend on the town and take over the community.

"We've had neighbors threatened. We've had people act as if they're going to pull a weapon out of their waistband or pull a weapon out of the seat of the car when (residents) come out and say, 'This is private property you can't park here,'" Suzanne Serdahely said.

A resident submitted video on New Year's weekend that showed tons of traffic creating dangerous gridlock on the only road in and out of the community.

"Just last weekend, we had a 3-year-old boy with traumatic head injuries down at our school. Our firefighters tried to respond to the station. It was such gridlock, they had to abandon their cars and either walk or run to the station so that we could get equipment that at least had lights and sirens," fire station Capt. Tom McIntosh said.

But traffic isn't the only concern for residents. It's also the unsavory behavior of the visitors. Resident Robert Alvarenga said people get drunk in public, defecate and threaten other residents.

Residents are hoping to find a solution that involves law enforcement setting up a two-man operation in which one oversees visitors entering and leaving to limit numbers and another enforces the law.

"We hand them a flier and on that flier is a map of this main road and it shows the two areas that are public land," McIntosh said. "They're simply told, you can play in the snow there. If you park anywhere else, you are violating public property and you will be cited, or towed, or both."

Residents and law enforcement officials were scheduled to meet Tuesday, but the meeting has been postponed to a later date, possibly next month.

Until then, a reserve deputy will be out in the area over the weekend to enforce the laws.

[Bob C]

Snowplayers couldn't possibly get any dumber...until, you see a family pushing their infant in a stroller across Jackson lake (1/30/2017)

[tcaarabians]

Do they know it's a lake and the ice can break?  I know there are signs there. I didn't see any in these photos. cheryl o7o

[ForestGal]

Unbelievable!      As Toolman always so aptly puts it, "you can't fix stupid"!  Must be a Darwin thing.  Thanks for sharing this, Bob. 

[Jeremy]

Scary, hopefully someone who knows better warned them

[Cheapskate]

There was (is?) a thread called Walking on Thin Ice...people have died at Jackson Lake in the last 20 years, yes?...or am I misremembering?  In this day and age of social media, signs that tell the story of actual tragedies that have occurred instead of "DANGER!  Potential drowning hazard!  Stay off ice!" might have more impact and influence.  A suggestion for volunteers to take to the big cheeses of the the USFS or the Nat'l Monument or whatever Jackson Lake's status is these days.

[Bob C]

There was (is?) a thread called Walking on Thin Ice...people have died at Jackson Lake in the last 20 years, yes?

http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,15085

http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,10599

[RobertW]

In this day and age of social media, signs that tell the story of actual tragedies that have occurred instead of "DANGER!  Potential drowning hazard!  Stay off ice!" might have more impact and influence.  A suggestion for volunteers to take to the big cheeses of the the USFS or the Nat'l Monument or whatever Jackson Lake's status is these days.

I know at Switzer Falls they used to have a sign telling how many people had died trying to traverse the falls.  I'm afraid it would have to be an awful big sign to "tell the story", and even then most would not even read it.  They don't pay any attention to the signs that are there now.  People just have to take responsibility for themselves and their families.

[Chuck]

Based on our conversations with the Forest Service I would guess you don't see how many people have died due to lawsuits.  Its one of those things that would be used by lawyers to say "you knew the danger, but didn't stop them".  Juries often buy it, even though you can't fix stupid or close down the forest.     

[Bob C]

Its one of those things that would be used by lawyers to say "you knew the danger, but didn't stop them". 

That might be one of the reasons ANF announced at our last FSC meeting that they probably won't be closing the lake in future years

[makgirl]

Wasn't it posted before (maybe on the "thin ice" thread) that if people are on the Jackson Lake ice, and FSC or LEO says, "get off the ice," if they fall through leaving the ice, it's the fault of the LEO/FSC for calling them back??? Am I remembering that right???

[tcaarabians]

What struck me about the pictures of the family with the baby in a stroller was that the lake was covered by snow. I don't know where the signs are posted or how many signs have been posted. But, that family may not have realized they were walking on a lake. Just an observation. And, thank goodness they didn't fall through the ice.

Makgirl:  I don't know if you're remembering a previous post about liability. I do know that a good number of policies are written to insulate agencies from liability. I also know that lawyers will invent a cause-of-action regardless of how reasonable it may be.

I believe that WW has a bench, along the Hwy2 trail through the village, that was placed in honor of a man who did lose his life at Jackson Lake. Two little girls had fallen through the ice. He got them out but died later from hypothermia. If my memory is correct.

Does anyone know if Jackson Lake has posts with chains that encompass the entire perimeter of the lake in winter?
cheryl o7o

[Toolman]

Wasn't it posted before (maybe on the "thin ice" thread) that if people are on the Jackson Lake ice, and FSC or LEO says, "get off the ice," if they fall through leaving the ice, it's the fault of the LEO/FSC for calling them back??? Am I remembering that right???

I can clarify, when this came up in our FS meetings we as trained patrol volunteers and paid FPO's could NOT give direct orders to leave the ice. USFS LEO's as well as other LEO's could give direct orders to leave the ice. Fire personnel, USFS, or County Fire can also give direct orders to leave the ice. I believe that's how it was stated on the old Jackson Lake ice thread. It was also noted that Engine 37 was dispatched to clear the ice. We (patrol volunteers) can say it is not safe and cold water rescue is several hours away. When they arrive they can retrieve the body for your family.That line usually works well for me. This way I'm not ordering them to do anything, just informing

[RobertW]

Does anyone know if Jackson Lake has posts with chains that encompass the entire perimeter of the lake in winter?
cheryl o7o

The lake does not have a chain that encompasses the entire parameter.  The lake is NOT closed or under a closure order as it had been over the past two years.  Even when there was a closure order only the Gate was locked. Putting a fence around the lake is inappropriate for a lot of reasons (unsightly, costly and most of all ineffective.  People will go over, under or through the fence).