CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit Assistant Chief Doug Lannon demonstrates the proper use of a fire shelter

CAL FIRE Owens Valley Camp Crew to the Rescue

A CAL FIRE Owens Valley Camp Crew was involved in the rescue of a hiker that fell off a cliff. To read more on the story check this link http://www.inyoregister.com/node/809

CAL FIRE Firefighters help during Fire Prevention Week

CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit Firefighters from the Yucca Valley Fire Station participated in Fire Prevention week festivities at the Home Depot in Yucca Valley. The October 7th event drew a large crowd including 100 kids from the local headstart program. With Smokey Bear overseeing the work, the firefighters helped the children to assemble their own wooden version of the Home Depot #20 race car. In fact, the kids got to see the real #20 car as well.

Red Flag Warnings

CAL FIRE BDU Attends Weekend Events

The San Bernardino Unit of CAL FIRE was again involved in several public safety events over the past weekend. On Saturday, October 23rd, Engine 3559 and crew from Devore attended a public safety event sponsored by the Home Depot in the city of Fontana. The firefighters handed out safety information to the adults and fire safety coloring books and Smokey Bear comic books to the kids.

Meanwhile, over in the city of San Bernardino, engine 3569 and crew from Yucaipa were participating in a public safety event sponsored by Sears and located at the Inland Center Mall. Not only did the firefighters hand out lots of fire safety material, but Smokey Bear himself was there much to the delight of children and adults alike.

To end the weekend, CAL FIRE was invited to have a display of equipment that included engine 3566 and a Crew Carrier. The Sunday event was the Chino Valley Fire Muster and Chile Cookoff. A number of Explorer posts participated in the muster events, while the chile was plentiful and varied. CAL FIRE was honored to be asked to participate in these public events in order to provide safety education and information for the public.

Rose Parade Entry Remembers 9-11

To learn more go to; http://www.911rosefloat.com/

Teens Arrested for Arson

CAL FIRE/Highland City firefighters responded yesterday, October 14, 2010 to a structure fire at 6987 Elmwood Drive in Highland, California. While firefighters quickly extinguished the small blaze, witnesses informed Highland City Sheriff’s Deputies that two teenagers had been seen entering and leaving the vacant house around the time of the fire. Deputies quickly searched the surrounding area, located and detained the two teens reported by the witnesses.

CAL FIRE/San Bernardino Unit Fire Investigators Battalion Chief Bart Chambers and Fire Captain Specialist Jack Markle responded and took custody of the teens. During their investigation, Chambers and Markle determined there was enough evidence to arrest the two teens . It was also determined that the two teens had started a small vegetation fire inside the city limits of San Bernardino, California. The fires reportedly happened within an hour of each other. The two teens, brother and sister ages 13 and 15 had been reported as runaways on Wednesday, October 13th.

The two were charged with two counts of 451(c) of the California Penal Code; willfully and maliciously setting a fire which is a felony crime. The teens were cited and released to their parents. No injuries were reported and damage to the structure and contents was less than $5,000 dollars.

Arrest made in Miller Fire

An arrest has been made in the Miller fire which was reported Tuesday evening, August 17, 2010 at 4:56 PM. The fire burned between the south end of Silverwood Lake and the Miller Canyon camp ground. Firefighters and hand crews from CAL FIRE, the United States Forest Service and San Bernardino County responded to fight the flames.


The arrest was the result of a combined investigation between CAL FIRE and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Twin Peaks Station. While conducting their investigation, Captain Specialists Brian Tominaga and Jack Markle requested assistance from Deputy Brimmer at the Twin Peaks Station. That effort resulted in the arrest yesterday, October 13, 2010 of a juvenile who was released to his parents. He has been charged with California Penal Code section 452(c) - Unlawfully causing a fire on forest land. Conviction could result in jail time and a fine. This could also result in civil cost collection for the cost of fighting the fire.

The fire burned in an area that last burned during the 2003 Old Fire which burned north from Waterman Canyon above the City of San Bernardino over the mountains through the community of Crestline and down into the Lake Silverwood/Miller Canyon area. No injuries have been reported and no structures were destroyed.

CAL FIRE gets MADD

The CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit was honored to participate in the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) San Bernardino County Memorial Tribute and Community Awareness Event. This first of its kind event was held on Saturday, October 9th at Wildwood park in San Bernardino and was sponsored by the San Bernardino Chapter of MADD. It was designed to honor to the memories of those who have been killed by drunk drivers in San Bernardino County.


Participants included CAL FIRE, San Bernardino City Fire, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. San Bernardino P.D. and the CHP along with a variety of health and safety organizations. Besides honoring and remembering those who have been killed by drunk drivers, the event also served to remind the public that there remains a lot to do.

In California, nearly 1,300 people are killed and approximately 31,000 people are injured annually because of people driving under the influence. Nationally, on average, one person is killed every 30 minutes by a person driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

CAL FIRE is proud to stand with MADD and the other agencies in the ongoing effort to reduce the damage and death caused by people driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. For more information visit the MADD website at http://www.madd.org/

Los Angeles Stair Climb 2010

"Elevators Are For Wimps" is the yearly motto in Los Angeles every September.

The US Bank Tower, located in downtown Los Angeles, is the tallest building west of the Mississippi. It stands more than 1000 feet tall with 75 stories and a total of 1,500 steps.
The Ketchum-Downtown YMCA, which is located inside the US Bank Tower, holds an annual charity event to raise money for kids, teens and adults. It is a growing event which raises money for preschools, teachers, school supplies, youth programs, college counseling and senior fitness programs.

From Left to Right:

Engineer Jeff Silva ~ FFII Medic Steve Ismerio ~ Captain Josh Janssen ~ FFII Medic Steve Leverette

On September 24, 2010, the San Bernardino Unit (BDU) Fire Personnel listed above returned to Los Angeles for the 2010 Ketchum-Downtown YMCA Annual Stair Climb. This is the fourth consecutive year that our Unit has participated in this event.

The first year we participated in the event, we were the only CAL FIRE Team. This year there were nine CAL FIRE Teams and several other Fire Department Teams from all across the State.

Most individuals train for months to be able to climb this building; And they only wear workout gear and tennis shoes.

A few years ago they (Ketchum-Downtown YMCA) decided to add a "High Rise Heroes" division to honor the Fallen FDNY Firemen. This entails completing the event in full Structure Fire Protective Equipment that the members of FDNY were wearing during their climb up the Twin Towers (9/11/2001). The equipment adds around 60 lbs. to that of your body weight.

This year we completed the event in right at 40 minutes.

As you can see, the view from the top is amazing.

The events total dollar amount raised this year was $281,290.00.

Congratulations to all whom participated !

Fire Prevention Week

The 2010 Fire Prevention Week is off to a great start. Running from October 3 to October 9, Fire Prevention Week is a time for the public to interact with the fire service in an effort to help prevent fires. This year's theme is "SMOKE ALARMS: a sound you can live with".

Fire Prevention week got off to an early start for the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit with their participation at the Yucaipa Emergency Preparedness Expo. There was a bit of a Halloween theme for the CAL FIRE booth, but the message was clear none the less.

The Yucaipa event was followed by the San Bernardino City Fire Department open house on Saturday, October 3rd. The event was well attended and lots of fire prevention material for young and old was passed out. And as always, the fire engine was a big crowd pleaser.

This coming Saturday, October 9th, San Bernardino CAL FIRE personnel will be attending and supporting the MADD San Bernardino County Memorial Tribute and Community Awareness Event. This event will be held at Wildwood Park in San Bernardino at the corner of Waterman Avenue and 40th Street from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Out in the Yucca Valley area, CAL FIRE Firefighters are participating in three days of fire prevention efforts in cooperation with Home Depot.

With the coming time change from daylight savings to standard time, it is also time to think about changing the batteries in the smoke detectors in your home. To find our more facts about smoke detectors and home fires, go to the National Fire Prevention Association web site:
http://www.nfpa.org/

And even though we have had some wet weather, do not fall into the trap of thinking that the threat of wildfire is over for the year. Much of the vegetation remains dry and can readily burn. With the Santa Ana wind season just beginning, there is still a large potential for wildfire. We need your help in preventing wildfire when you are out in the wildland areas.