Vegetation Fire I15 - Blue Cut Fire - 2016

[Wrightwood]

Hotels allegedly illegally price-gouging following the Blue Cut Fire

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office has received multiple reports of illegal price gouging at multiple hotels, attorney Douglas Poston with the office's Consumer Protection Unit told KPCC. Poston couldn't talk specifics, but said they were for hotels in the High Desert area, including the communities of Victorville and Hesperia.

"Folks that were unfortunately affected and trapped up in the High Desert due to the freeway closure, those folks were being quoted rates that were far higher than average for the various hotels up in the area," Poston said.

Poston warned that if people have a suspicion someone has attempted price gouging following an emergency being declared in the region due to the Blue Cut Fire, they should contact the DA's Office's Consumer Protection Unit.

"Obviously, we will investigate those complaints, and hold accountable anybody that would engage in that kind of despicable practice," Poston said.

Price gouging in this case is when someone is quoted a price for goods or service that is at least 10 percent higher over what would normally be charged, Poston said. The practice is illegal once an emergency has been declared.

"That practice, it's an unfair business practice, it's predatory, and it's illegal. And on top of that, it really shows a cruel indifference to the suffering of all those displaced by that tragedy. The penalties are up to a year in county jail, a $10,000 fine, or both," Poston said.

On top of that, he added, there can also be civil penalties that can be thousands more per incident.

Examples of price gouging cited by Poston include being quoted a price for basic necessities such as water, food, blankets, shelter, rental properties, hotels, repair services and emergency cleanup services that's at least 10 percent more than they would have offered them for before the emergency was declared.

Once the Blue Cut Fire has calmed down, the DA's Office plans to visit the High Desert community to offer information to local residents about the predatory practices that can occur following a fire.

If you have a complaint, you can call the Consumer Protection Unit at (909) 382-7748.

http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/08/18/63734/hotels-allegedly-illegally-price-gouging-following/

[JMPhotog]

[Chuck]

[Dcbuilder]

I agree that those of us who stayed behind could cause extra work for the FD, but I can only speak for myself here, but as I decided to stay during an evac. I would not expect the FD to come save me. It was my choice and risk to stay. In addition many of us have true fire hose capability vs. just garden hoses which I agree  are worthless. As for the police and or sheriff patrolling, I have not seen a patrol car on my street since the evac notice, and they seem very busy dealing with the evacuations, and road blocks. Criminals have had free and clear access and we shall see when people return home if there are additional looting cases.

[MDB]

I've seen some patrolling near the center of town, but likewise nothing on my street. CHP was sitting at the top of Park last night.

[ezzpete]

This is one of the problems with people staying behind.  The Sheriff does not know who is who.  It causes them not to become as suspicious as they would if people abided by the mandatory evacuations.  I don't appreciate it because I left, as was right and the smart thing to do.

For those who think they can save their house with a water hose, they will just create temporary steam, before it catches fire.  These fires were happening even when retardant was dropped.  Bad luck is bad luck, the wildfire that is.   
       

I can understand your frustration, being there and not here. Last evacuation, I also left and it was nerve racking. I'm not planning on doing any garden hose work so that's not why I'm here. When there is a sign of sure danger I'll be gone. Just haven't seen that yet. And you are right it's the smart thing to do. My neighbors are all gone. Some because they didn't expect not to be allowed back in, and went to work. One neighbor has 2 dogs and I've been giving them water and food.  So maybe something good is coming out of it.

I sure wasn't trying to stir anything up asking about looting. And as it turns out it was rumor.

I guess we're just not all good at following orders.

[Wisher]

Twiiter video -
Kris Ankarlo ?@KrisAnkarlo 17 minutes ago

It's a scene of charred devastation along CA-138 #BlueCutFire

Video link

This is just so horrible to see.  I lived in Wrightwood from '96 until '02 and grew up in Hesperia.  I've lived through many fires and evacuations but this one is just insanity.  Craziest part is that we just drove through the 138 exactly ONE week ago.  I took the pictures below as we drove by the Morman Rocks on our way back to Phoenix, AZ.  So sad to see it all burned down now.   I'm sending lots of love and of well wishes + prayers for everyone in the area.   

[snwbnny]

Anyone have accurate info about a possible flare-up along the 15 near the 215 split? Hearing news reports that flames are right along the freeway so wondering if that is just dumb reporters or any truth. If it IS true, I don't want to head south on the 15 and get stuck anyway if they're going to close it again.

[Elk]

Bluecut Fire
INCIDENT UPDATED 3 MIN. AGO

Basic Information
Current as of: ?8?/?18?/?2016? ?6?:?15?:?39? ?PM
Incident Type: Wildfire
Cause: Unknown
Date of Origin: Tuesday August 16th, 2016 approx. 10:36 AM
Location: Cajon Pass West of I-15
Incident Commander: USFS In Unified Command With CAL FIRE, San Bernardino County Fire And Other Cooperating Agencies.
Incident Description: Wildfire

Current Situation
Total Personnel:1,584
Size: 35,969 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained: 22%
Fuels Involved: Heavy brush
 
Outlook
Planned Actions: Fire will continue to move to the north, northwest and northeast towards Wrightwood, Victor Valley,Phelan, Baldy Mesa and South Hesperia. As the fire crosses the ridge to the west, it will back towards the community of Lytle Creek.

Projected Incident Activity
Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (Opliger) has assumed command of the fire.
 
Remarks
Approximately 34,500 structures remain threatened in the communities of rightwood, Oak Hills, Phelan, Lytle Creek, Baldy Mesa, West Cajon Valley, South Hesperia, and Summit Valley.

Structures are known to have been damaged or destroyed but cannot currently be assessed due to the extreme fire behavior and growth. A Damage Assessment Team (DAT) has been ordered to assist.

Current Weather
Weather Concerns: Moderate south winds will diminish after sunset with a persistnet southerly flow. Slope winds after 2000 hrs will be south 5-10 mph with gusts to 15 mph. Ridgetop winds will be south to southwest 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.
Poor overnight recovery with max humidity of 17-30 percent.
RED FLAG warning for the area remains until 1700 Thursday.

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4962

[Wrightwood]

Incident:  01375   Type:    Report of Fire   Location:   I15 S NO / KENWOOD AVE  Loc Desc:       Lat/Lon:  34.249376 -117.442305   
Detail Information
8:05 PM   17   [40] BRUSH FIRE IN CD
8:05 PM   16   [39] VEH ON NB SIDE - AXLE IS BROKE
8:04 PM   15   [16] HEAVY SMOKE IN LNS ON SB SIDE
8:00 PM   14   [11] NEED UNIT ON NB SIDE IN CD
8:00 PM   13   [12] [Appended, 20:03:11] [1] BRUSH FIRE STARTING IN THE CD
7:56 PM   12   [7] IN CD
7:56 PM   11   [8] [Appended, 19:57:54] [1] SMALL BRUSH FIRE STARTING IN CD
7:55 PM   10   [5] [1] RPTING A BRUSH FIRE STARTING IN GP OF FWY BTWN NB AND SB AT THE INTERCHANGE
7:54 PM   9   [1] BRUSH ON FIRE ON RS
7:04 PM   8   [32] [Appended, 20:04:58] [17] A75-E13 OUT 1125 FIRE EQUIP ON GLEN HELEN JEO 15
6:17 PM   7   [31] [Appended, 20:04:58] [16] *** N EG ON ADDITIONAL FIRE / JUST SMOKE FRM EXISTING
6:03 PM   6   [28] [Appended, 20:04:58] [12] [Appended, 18:04:11] [6] NEG FIRE JUST SMOKE
6:03 PM   5   [27] [Appended, 20:04:58] [11] [Appended, 18:04:11] [5] SMOKE NB JSO CLEGHORN
6:02 PM   4   [25] [Appended, 20:04:58] [9] [Appended, 18:04:11] [3] E13 TRAFFIC IS FLOWING
6:00 PM   3   [23] [Appended, 20:04:58] [7] [Appended, 18:04:11] [1] BRUSH ON FIRE
5:56 PM   2   [18] [Appended, 20:04:58] [2] TRANS TO COMMCNTER
5:56 PM   1   [17] [Appended, 20:04:58] [1] RP SEES SMOKE
Unit Information
7:57 PM   5   Unit Assigned

[Wrightwood]

Incident:  01375   Type:    Report of Fire   Location:   I15 S NO / KENWOOD AVE  Loc Desc:  NB 15 JNO KENWOOD    Lat/Lon:  34.249376 -117.442305   
Detail Information
8:14 PM   25   [55] ID-123 WILL RUN BREAK
8:13 PM   24   [53] NEED BREAK - FIRE NEEDS #1 LN
8:10 PM   23   [52] FIRE 97 ON NB SIDE
8:07 PM   22   [48] [Rotation Request Comment] 1039 DESERT VALLEY TOW ON EXP 760-240-4207
8:07 PM   21   [47] FIRE IS ABOUT 75' AWAY
8:06 PM   20   [43] E12 START 1185 ON EXP IN CD
8:06 PM   19   [42] E7 IS 97 W/VEH ON NB ON RS
8:05 PM   18   [41] PTYS ARE WALKING AWAY FROM VEH ON RS

[oskar]

I agree that those of us who stayed behind could cause extra work for the FD, but I can only speak for myself here, but as I decided to stay during an evac. I would not expect the FD to come save me. It was my choice and risk to stay. In addition many of us have true fire hose capability vs. just garden hoses which I agree  are worthless.

I have been living in Wrightwood for about 5 year up on Mojave Scenic Dr. - after I lost a house in a wildfire in San Dimas Canyon , had lost everything. It was a mandatory evacuation as well - we were allowed 10 min to leave.
After that experience I decided that when you live in the boonies you cannot rely on the FD saving your home - there may be more important structures to protect than your home
Am in Lyons, CO now. Also in the boonies and have a "fire-pool", a 130 PSI gas powered pump and some 1 1/2 firehose.  I would not leave my home ...

Good luck to everyone

Oskar

[Mrs. Hillbilly]

Get the hell out early when they tell you and become a nuisance in another place besides the place that the Firefighters are trying to protect!

[MDB]

Click for the full album.

[Pbrady]

Thank you MDB, I appreciate the pictures. My house is butted up to that wash and was wondering how it's holding up.

[JMPhotog]

Mine is too and all is fine.  For now.  The winds took the flames yesterday north from the flats (at the turn).  They put out flames closer to Wright Mountain Road.

Thanks Chuck for the reassuring words. It's very frustrating not being there to have eyes on the situation. I sure hope the evacuation orders and road closures are lifted today.
Jim

[PinonMesaJon]

Whoever posted the video of the Clyde Ranch, a huge thank you.  The barn, 2 sheds and the Earp cabin are gone.  I have pictures that I took about 2 years ago when I began a history of the ranch.  Oh, who am I?  My 2gr grandma was Eliza Singleton Robinson Anderson Ousterhaut.  She was Priscilla Singleton Clyde's sister.  Priscilla married Almon Clyde.  Thank you for the video.  Was that Gary Hopkins who took this video?  He is about the only person who knew the ranch this well.

Hi Ranch Historian,
I noticed that this video on ABC 7's website has a (very) short clip on the Clyde Ranch:
http://abc7.com/video/embed/?pid=1475875
around the 2:00 mark.

[Wrightwood]

[Ranch Historian]

Thank you for posting the Channel 7 news on the Clyde Ranch.   

[Wrightwood]

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