Introduction and fire update

[Asst Chief Dave Corbin]

Hello everyone,

My name is Dave Corbin, I am the San Bernardino County Fire Assistant Chief overseeing Division 5, including Wrightwood. I wanted to take a moment to make introductions and give you an update on the Bobcat Fire. First and most important, an update on the fire: activity along Big Pines Hwy in the area of Largo Vista is looking very good. This area was of great concern to us Thursday night through Saturday evening as the rapid spread posed a real concern for Wrightwood. The fireline in this area is now mostly contained. The fire is continuing to slowly back down the eastern slope of Mt. Lewis. Multiple contingency lines have been put in place including a retardant line from above Hwy 2 east of Dawson Saddle that extends to Big Rock Creek. This line was reinforced with a fire line cut in by hand crews, who also extended a hose line to the bottom. A dozer line has been placed from Vincent Gap to the top of Pinion Ridge. Sb County dozers are additionally constructing a dozer line from Blue Ridge, up behind Mountain High West. I am cautiously optimistic that the community is safe, but we cannot let our guard down. High heat, low Relative Humidity, and a possible mild Santa Ana Wind event are forecasted for this weekend into next week. SB County Fire currently has two Strike Teams positioned in the area including 10 fire engines and 2 Battalion Chiefs. We are also inserted into the Command Post with an Agency Representative as well as myself positioned in the community And coordinating with our assisting fire agencies. Once again, I believe things look good but we have much work to do in preparation for the upcoming weather change.

Lastly, I want to assure to you that SB County Fire is invested in Wrightwood. As your local Fire Chief, I am here for you and honored to serve. As a 31 year fire service veteran I have seen much, but I have to say, the incredible kindness that the community has extended to our personnel has been very humbling to me. I cannot thank the community enough, and I look forward to building relationships and strengthening the public safety net in Wrightwood. Feel free to reach out, my email is dcorbin@sbcfire.org.

[Joe Schmoe]

Mr. Corbin, are you willing to field questions here?

Also, I'd like to pass along a bit of information related by a Wrightwood resident who evacuated the other day: the detour signage (Lone Pine Canyon to Wright Mountain Rd) on the east end of town due to bridge construction on Lone Pine Canyon is either not prominent or has been removed.  While I am not a Wrightwood resident, I am a frequent visitor and I have also seen the signage disappear, only to reappear later - I suspect this is being done by residents who'd rather not be inconvenienced by the detour traffic.  The signage only consists of papers taped to cones, if I recall correctly.  I imagine this is an item that could be improved upon at least until the fire danger passes and the possibility of evacuation decreases.

[Asst Chief Dave Corbin]

Absolutely, you can contact me anytime! I am new to this site so it may take me some time to get up to speed on the site nuances, and I am also assigned to the Bobcat Fire so my responses may be delayed. I believe the road signage is produced by either the County or Cal Trans, not by County Fire. I can help make contacts if needed.

[sagespirit]

Hello Assn't Chief Dave,
Thank you for being here offering accessible, accurate, and clear information re: WW. It's a relief.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could find out who is responsible for the detour signage to Lone Pine Canyon.
I evac'd at 10:30pm on Thurs. 9.17. As you know, there are now only 2 ways out of WW...LPC and Hwy 2 to 138. I chose to take the LPC route which is faster. I've only used the detour once since the construction work commenced, but the signage was very clear a month or more ago. No problem.
Thursday, however, there were no signs. I got lost 2x. Finally found a car going in that direction and followed them.They were very hesitant too. Unsure. But, we made it to Lone Pine and while they turned in the wrong direction, I knew where I was at that point and headed into the canyon to safe refuge.
As a former emergency response person, it is deeply distressing to see that at a time when people are being told to evac, the detour signage is nil. More emergencies could happen, and the Fire Dept's time would be consumed just because of that. It also adds additional stress to this situation.
I am sure your Dept., is not responsible for this. But, if you could liaison with the people/Dept who is responsible for this and have them respond now, it would be of great assistance.
I returned last night to tend to the cabin in WW, and things left undone when I evacuated. The car is packed and ready to go when needed. I'd really like to know I can safely, and quickly, get up to LPC if needed. This seems like such a minute detail, but with 2 of our escape routes closed off, we need the remaining safe exit routes.
Again, thanks so much for being here. Keep safe. Sagespirit

[Elk]

I would greatly appreciate it if you could find out who is responsible for the detour signage to Lone Pine Canyon.

I understand and appreciate the concern shown by multiple people as it relates to the Detour Signage for the Lone Pine Bridge Project.

This is a SBCo Public Works issue and not an issue for the Fire Dept or the Asst. Chief. People need to contact SBCo Public works and request help with this problem. It could even be a contractor issue but you need to deal with the agency that has jurisdiction/authority and allow the FD and the Asst. Chief to focus on their jobs especially during this very busy fire season.

The contact info for SBCo Public Works-Roads is: 909-387-8063 (PS-This info/number can easily be found on your Wrightwood Fire Safe Council Refrigerator Magnet) 
Website: https://www.sbcounty.gov/Main/Pages/DepartmentServices.aspx?ContactID=55

Please, let's show the Chief how much we appreciate him and SBCoFD by first trying to solve the problem through the proper channels.

[Wrightwood]

SBCo Public Works has been contacted

[Joe Schmoe]

SBCo Public Works has been contacted

That's good to hear.  While under an evacuation warning I don't think it's the public's responsibility to patrol the area to determine that a safe and orderly evacuation is possible, and then research which agency is responsible.  A publicly funded agency should volunteer to make a pass through the area in a vehicle to ensure there are no choke points or holdups.  I just assumed that during a fire, it would be the local fire department that would do that.

Under other circumstances, I agree - people should do their own legwork.

[sagespirit]

Yes, Elk, I fully agree that the Chief should not have to be involved in the detour signage issue if possible. But, I didn't know who is responsible for that issue. How would I?  It might be a private contractor.
The Assn't Chief was the only person online I've seen who was offering to assist w/issues that are fire related. To me, it's fire related because it impacts safe evac.
I didn't see anyone else stepping up from CERT or the Safely Council etc. to address the issue outside of Joe and I bringing it up. Why did it have to wait this long to have it noticed? It might be helpful to ask who in the village: WSC? CERT? someone from the Community Service District?, is supposed to have the responsibility of checking the escape routes at times like these. 
Thank you John for contacting the appropriate party.  Hopefully, they will get on it right away. Perhaps handmade signs be made if they do not respond quickly? We don't know what lies ahead, esp w/the additional "fire weather warnings" issued.

[Wrightwood]

Full size PDF
https://www.wrightwoodfsc.com/fires/Bobcat/ChiefCorbin.Bobcat.thankyou.pdf

[Asst Chief Dave Corbin]