By Mary-Justine Lanyon
When the Line Fire was pushing toward Running Springs, the incident commander and Chief Daniel Munsey pulled in an additional 15 strike teams – about 300 more firefighters. They needed a place to stay.
“That’s where Pali Mountain came in,” County Fire Assistant Chief Jason Serrano told the Lake Arrowhead Municipal Advisory Council at their Dec. 5 meeting. “They exhibited an exceptional act of kindness. Their swift response offered relief.”
Chief Serrano added that the unwavering support of Pali Mountain and the entire community “strengthens our ability to protect lives and property. We are profoundly grateful.”
The chief presented Nicholas Rynard, representing Pali Mountain with a plaque expressing that gratitude. Rynard also received certificates from Supervisor Dawn Rowe, Congressman Jay Obernolte and Senator Ochoa Bogh.
“Pali appreciate all this,” Rynard said. “Any time we can be a resource to the mountain, we try to. This community has given so much to us.”
Shane Masoud, the government relations manager for Southern California Edison (SCE), updated the MAC on the wildfire mitigation work the utility has been doing. “We are doing all we can to mitigate any impact from our infrastructure,” he said.
That mitigation has taken a three-pronged approach: harden the grid with covered conductor; enhance their operational practices with vegetation management and equipment inspection; and bolster situational awareness by installing weather stations.
They are no longer stringing bare wire but have installed 5,900 miles of covered conductor in their service area. By the end of 2025, SCE hopes to be near 8,000 miles. To date they have replaced half of the wires on the mountaintop. “Some of the hardest part is left,” Masoud said, adding they are pulling wire with helicopters.
“It’s a huge undertaking,” he said. “And it’s our first priority. More than fire prevention, it’s outage prevention. It’s a short-term inconvenience for a long-term benefit.”
Public Service Power Shutoffs (PSPS), Masoud noted, “are a tool of last resort but they remain a critical element of wildfire mitigation.” He outlined the resources – like a community resource center – that are available should power be shut off.
Reporting for Caltrans, Horace Coret said they are trying to make Highway 330 “better than ever.” They are now in the second phase of repairing the road, which was damaged by the Line Fire.
Slurry seal projected on Highways 138 and 189 have been paused due to the weather. Culvert repair on Highway 18 continues.
Captain Craig Harris said the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station will be holding its Christmas for families event on Dec. 20. Last year 25 families benefited; this year, he said, they are on track to double that number.
Battalion Chief Sean Markey noted County Fire will be assisting with the Dec. 20 sheriff’s event. They also will hold their annual bonfire in Lake Arrowhead Village on Dec. 14. They will have toy drives and “fill the boot” events at Goodwin’s on Dec. 13 and at Stater Bros. on Dec. 16.
The Line Fire, Battalion Chief Brian Grant of the U.S. Forest Service, is 98 percent contained and will remain at that number for a bit longer. “We are still finding fire that can pose safety issues,” he said. There were three sections of the fire that firefighters could not get to due to the terrain; those sections are being checked by drone.
“We are hoping for some significant moisture,” Chief Grant said. “But we don’t want a lot of rain all at once.”
As he reported at the Crest Forest MAC, Lewis Murray said Supervisor Dawn Rowe will be appointing members of both MACs in January. In 2025, the two local MACs will meet on alternate months so the agencies only have to report at one each month.
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