I was certainly under the impression that he was a Forest Service officer; if not why would he be answering the phone that is at the number given for the Big Bear Discovery Center (909-866-3437). This is the number that one is told to call (by the answering machine recording) when you call the Arrowhead Ranger Station and they cannot answer. I called on Sunday Nov. 23rd.

I said, "Can you tell me if Deep Creek Hot Springs is open?" and he said "No, it's not open due to the fire. The whole area is closed." I said, "So when will it be open?" and he said it would be a long time, etc., as per my post above.

I did not ask who he was or anything, as I did not suspect that he was giving me any kind of controversial information.