I was just out doing some errands around town here in Apple Valley and as I was driving home I noticed what looks to be a big fire cloud in the direction of Big Bear lake. Could this be a control burn, out of control? It has become quite breezy this afternoon in the high desert and it is warm. I turned on the local channel 9 news at 3PM and have heard no mention of this yet. Just went and took a look at the cloud with my binoculars here at our home. This fire clould is billowing up quite large at this time......... Just heard on Channel nine news that this is a control burn that has gotten out of control. The Big Bear ski slopes are being evacuated. The fire is shown to be somewhat south west of Big Bear lake. The fire has jumped the fire lines at this point. The fire was started as a control burn last night. Today the humidty dropped below levels they expected. I'm sure the afternoon winds are playing a big part in this fire getting out of control. I've seen the exact same thing happen before when I used to work as a forestry firefighter. No information yet on how many acres burned or structures in immediate danger. I have seen pictures of the slopes on the south side of Big Bear lake and by the ski lifts and those mountains in that area are full of Bark Beetle killed pine trees.
