San Bernardino National Forest

Newsroom

2007 News Releases
 

• Winter Slash and Debris Pile Burning in the San Bernardino Mountains Underway - Favorable weather conditions have allowed fire crews on the San Bernardino National Forest to start burning slash and debris piles in the Angelus Oaks area along State Highway 38. Fire crews will begin burning slash piles northeast of Lake Arrowhead in January. (12/18)
   
• Bald Eagles Seen in San Bernardino Mountains - On Saturday December 15, the first bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local land management agencies and volunteers around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Four eagles were observed in the Big Bear Basin. (12/15)
   
• Forest to Lessen Fire Restrictions and Resume Pile Burning - Weather conditions over the past two weeks have prompted San Bernardino National Forest officials to lessen fire restrictions, allowing for campfires in developed sites and recreational target shooting at designated sites on the forest.  Also, weather conditions are  providing opportunities to resume pile burning activities on hazardous fuels reduction projects within the forest. (12/07)
   
• Volunteers Needed to Count Bald Eagles - Eagle Counts for this winter have been scheduled for the following Saturday mornings: December 15, January 12, February 9, and March 8. The first bald eagle count for this winter is scheduled for Saturday morning, December 15th. Volunteers are needed for the counts--they are stationed at various vantage points around the lakes where they map and note any eagle observations during the 1-hour period from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. (12/06)
   
• Mountain Area Safety Taskforce mails Fire Safety Awareness Calendar to Mountain Residences - The 2008 calendar provides fire-safety tips and emphasizes the need for thinning live trees and vegetation to prevent catastrophic wildfires. (12/03)
   
• More Wind in Forecast, San Bernardino County Gears Up - In preparation for the upcoming Santa Ana winds, in which weather forecasters predict will materialize Tuesday, 11/20, through Thursday, 11/22, Federal, State and Local Fire Services are ramping up firefighting and support resources. (11/16)
   
• New Winter Operating Hours for Two Offices on the San Bernardino National Forest - The San Bernardino National Forest has announced the winter operating schedule for the Big Bear Discovery Center and the Mill Creek Ranger Station. (11/09)
   
• National Forests Honor Veterans Day with a “Free Day” -  In honor of America’s Veterans and Armed Services personnel, Sunday, November 11, will be a “Fee Free Day” on the national forests in Southern California. The National Forest Adventure Pass will not be required for visitors recreating in the San Bernardino, Angeles, Cleveland and Los Padres National Forests. (11/09)
   
• San Bernardino National Forest to Lift Temporary Emergency Closure - The temporary emergency closure in effect for the forest since October 23 will be terminated on Thursday, November 8. The San Bernardino National Forest will be open to visitors, but some fire-affected areas will remained closed until rehabilitation efforts are complete. (11/07)
   
• Forest Service Prepares for Santa Ana Winds - In anticipation of forecasted Santa Ana winds, the US Forest Service is reserving additional firefighting resources to respond to potential new fire starts. These resources include more than 111 engines, 14 air tankers, and 8 helitankers. (11/01)
   
• San Bernardino National Forest Remains in Emergency Forest Closure - Due to continuing fire danger, forecasted Santa Ana winds and recent fire activity, the San Bernardino National Forest officials are continuing the forest closure implemented on October 23. The closure will remain in effect indefinitely, for the health and safety of the public, until conditions improve. (11/01)
   
• San Bernardino National Forest Faces One-Year Anniversary of Fallen Firefighters - Despite the current fire situation, San Bernardino National Forest employees paused for a moment of silence today at 12 noon in honor of the five firefighters who lost their lives one year ago today while battling a wildfire. (10/26)
   
• San Bernardino National Forest Announces Emergency Forest Closure -  Due to extreme fire activity, and to protect public health and safety, San Bernardino National Forest officials are implementing a forest closure, effective October 23, 2007. The closure prohibits public entry to the forest, with few exceptions, and will last until the extreme conditions subside. (10/22)
   
• Updated Forest Closures Due to Butler 2 Fire - The Mountaintop Ranger District released updated information regarding the closure of roads and trails in the area burned during the recent Butler 2 Fire. (10/11)  (updated closure map)
   
• Area of Forest Closed Due to Butler 2 Fire - The Mountaintop Ranger District has announced the closure of the forest area burned during the recent Butler 2 Fire. The burned area is closed to public access through at least December 1 to provide for public safety. (10/05) (closure map)
   
• Fire Restrictions Increase on National Forest - Beginning Friday, October 5, no open campfires or charcoal fires will be allowed anywhere on the San Bernardino National Forest. Forest officials are raising the fire restriction level due to forecasted Santa Ana winds and recent wildfire activity. (10/04)
   
• Forest Service Helicopter Crew Injuries Update - The eight helicopter crew members of the San Bernardino National Forest involved in the vehicular accident this morning have been treated. (10/01)
   
• Forest Service Helicopter Crew Involved in Vehicular Accident - Eight helicopter crew members of the San Bernardino National Forest were involved in a vehicular accident on Highway 18 about a quarter to a half mile west of Big Bear Dam, in an area known as the “Artic Circle.” The accident occurred at approximately 9:44 a.m. (10/01)
   
• Burned Area Emergency Response Team Begins Work on the Butler 2 Fire -  The Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team arrived on Sunday, September 23rd to assess the recent Butler 2 wildfire. The BAER Team’s primary mission is to evaluate potential threats to life, property and resources, such as flooding, which could result from the recent wildfire. (09/25)
   
• Volunteers Sought to Help Protect Pine Trees from Wildfire Project teaches culture, history, and preservation of Parry Pinyon Pine Trees - San Bernardino National Forest Tribal Relations Program Manager Daniel McCarthy is again conducting the Parry Pinyon Pine Protection Project on September 28-30 and October 5-7. Volunteers are needed to help clear away and pile the vegetation. (09/21)
   
• National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 29, is a Free Day on the San Bernardino National Forest -  National Public Lands Day is a “Free Day” in the southern California national forests. No Adventure Pass is required for use of High Impact Recreation Areas or day-use sites on Saturday, September 29. (09/21)
   
• Recreation Facility Analysis Underway - The San Bernardino National Forest is inviting the public to participate in evaluating its plan for developed recreation sites to ensure it allows for changing visitor demands while continuing to provide quality recreational experiences. (08/29)
   
• Fire Restrictions to take effect in National Forest - Due to the unusually hot and dry weather and recent wildfire activity, San Bernardino National Forest announced additional fire restrictions will take effect on Tuesday July 10th. (07/06)
   
• Hotter, Drier Weather Increases Fire Danger on the San Bernardino National Forest - This year is different say forest officials. The temperatures are hotter, the forest is drier, and extreme caution and safety must be exercised to avoid wildfires. (07/05)
   
• San Bernardino National Forest Anticipates Busy Fourth of July Holiday Week - The San Bernardino National Forest is preparing for one of the biggest recreation weeks of the year, as forest visitors come to enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and a variety of other recreational activities on the national forest in celebration of our country’s independence. (06/29)
   
• US Forest Service Asks for the Public’s Help Protecting the Wild Burros - Wild Burros once again have been spotted in Big Bear’s residential neighborhoods and along our roads and highways. (06/01)
   
• National Trails Day, Saturday June 2, is a Free Day on the San Bernardino National Forest - National Trails Day is a “Free Day” in the southern California national forests. No Adventure Pass is required for use of High Impact Recreation Areas or day-use sites on Saturday, June 2nd. (05/29)
   
• Memorial Day Weekend Starts Tomorrow on the San Bernardino National Forest - Most of the recreation sites on the San Bernardino National Forest will be open for forest visitors by Memorial Day weekend. (05/24)
   
• Memorial Weekend marks the start of the Camping Season in the San Bernardino Mountains - The San Bernardino National Forest is preparing for the 2007 summer season, as forest visitors come to enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and a variety of other recreational activities. All 34 family and group campgrounds on the Mountaintop Ranger District will be open for the holiday. (05/11)
   
• Fire Season begins early this year - Fire protection officials cite above-average number of fires in first eight weeks of 2007 - The 2007 fire season got an early start this year due to prolonged drought. This means mountain-area residents need to be more vigilant and better prepared than ever, officials with the Mountain Area Safety Taskforce (MAST) say. (04/26)
   
• San Bernardino National Forest Announces new Mountaintop District Ranger - Kurt Winchester has been selected as the new District Ranger for the Mountaintop District. Kurt currently serves as a staff officer on the Plumas National Forest in Quincy, California, and starts in his new position on May 27th. (04/18)
   
• Forest Service will be continuing the Bonita Vista prescribed burn project during the week of April 2 -  The 483 acre area is located in the triangle of Highway 74, May Valley Road and Johnson Meadow near Keen Camp Summit and is the first phase of the larger Bonita Vista project. (04/02)
   
• Bald Eagle Count completed for 2006-2007 Winter Season - On Saturday March 10, the fourth and final bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local land management agencies and volunteers around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains.  (03/10)
   
• Volunteers Needed for Final Bald Eagle Count - The last bald eagle count for this winter has been scheduled for Saturday morning March 10. Volunteers are needed for the counts--they are stationed at various vantage points around the lakes where they map and note any eagle observations during the 1-hour period from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. (03/07)
   
• Pile Burning in the San Bernardino Mountains - The San Bernardino National Forest began the winter pile burning program recently, burning brush and debris piles in the San Bernardino Mountains and will continue to burn throughout the winter when weather permits. If conditions change to make burning unfavorable or dangerous, burning will cease. (02/22)
   
• Helicopter Tree Removal continues in the Valley of Enchantment - The Mountaintop Ranger District continues to use helicopters for tree removal as part of fuel reduction projects in Crestline and Valley of Enchantment.  (02/22)
   
• Bald Eagles seen in the San Bernardino Mountains -  Saturday February 10, the third bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local land management agencies and volunteers around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Five eagles (4 adults, 1 immature) were observed in the Big Bear Basin. The February average for Big Bear counts since 1978 is 13. Thirty volunteers enjoyed somewhat warm temperatures for February to participate in the 1-hour eagle census. (02/10)
   
• San Bernardino National Forest Seeks Public Comment on Route Designation Proposal - The San Bernardino National Forest is inviting comments on proposed changes to the forest’s motorized travel system.   (02/07)
   
• Volunteers Needed to Count Bald Eagles - The two remaining eagle counts for this winter have been scheduled for the following Saturday mornings: February 10, and March 10. The third bald eagle count for this winter is Saturday, February 10th.  (02/07)
   
• Volunteers sought for Bighorn Sheep Count - Volunteers are needed on February 23 and 24, 2007 (Friday evening and all day Saturday) to assist in the annual survey of bighorn sheep in the San Gabriel Mountains.  (02/05)
   
• Greenthumbs Native Plant Restoration Volunteer Program Schedule 2007 -  Volunteers needed to help maintain our Native Plant Nursery and help plant native plants on the Forest (01/19)
   
• Bald Eagles Seen in San Bernardino Mountains - On Saturday January 13, the second bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local land management agencies and volunteers around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. (01/13)

US Forest Service - San Bernardino National Forest
Last Modified:  Friday, 19 December 2008 at 14:48:32 EST