By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
Local road conditions were on the minds of concerned citizens who attended the Lake Arrowhead Municipal Advisory Council (LA MAC) meeting on Sept. 4.
Horace Corey, a representative from Caltrans, answered many questions by Zoom. He listened to the questions and responded to questions asked by those in attendance.
The first question was about when the dry vegetation along the roadsides is going to be removed and why it has been allowed to grow. He stated they currently have landscaping crews removing the growing weeds along the roadsides, beginning from numerous locations and clearing the roadsides where they have jurisdiction. The concern is that the fire jumps over the highway from the weeds. So, the question was asked how far from the edge of the road will be cleared, since embers can jump the road and both sides need to clear.
It was suggested that, since in the past smoking was prohibited in cars (1950s) within the national forest, it was asked whether that could that be enforced again. It doesn’t seem likely at this time. But Corey said he could investigate whether a “don’t throw cigarettes from cars” type sign could be installed.
There was a fire on the roadside just last week, possibly from a discarded cigarette, which was put out by drivers passing by who saw the fire before the fire department got there. So, disaster from this dry brush problem along the side of the road was averted this time because drivers stopped and, using their feet, drinks, blankets and a fire extinguisher, they were able to control that dry brush fire at the side of the road near Hortencia’s just in time. The brush needs to be removed. Other fire starts have recently been seen, as occurred before the Line Fire only a year ago.
Corey said not all turnouts are within Caltrans’ control, including the truck turnout at the bottom of the hill.
There was concern expressed about seemingly excessive placement of arrow signage on Highway 173. Corey suggested taking photos and sending them to Robin Bull for consideration by Supervisor Dawn Rowe.
The new wall below the hospital and above the Arrowhead Lake Association offices and marina is creating major flooding due to its design, forcing rainwater filled with debris to flow into the lake. This problem is currently under mediation because the rip rap has failed on the south end of the wall and caused two spillages into the lake that had to be reported to the Lahontan Water authorities.
The Crestline bridge center divider needs to be extended to stop accidental traffic crossovers into the upbound lanes during the fog. The problems were explained in detail by Scott Rindenow. “You must turn the corner in the dense fog, which is disorientating instead of going straight, which sends the driver into upbound traffic.” He suggested extending the metal barrier another 30 feet to prevent head-on accidents, as even hitting a barrier would be better than a head-on accident. Corey said that Traffic Operations will need to look into that situation and he thanked the community for pointing out this dangerous situation.
The construction at the Waterman Avenue exit from the 210 freeway will be two lanes as soon as the currently scheduled work is completed, which will last for many more months.
CHP commander Lt. Isaiah Kee mentioned that discarding a lighted cigarette out a vehicle window is a $1,000 fine and more of a problem since many smokers no longer have ashtrays in their vehicles.
Over the Labor Day holiday weekend, the CHP wrote 97 tickets and arrested nine DUI drivers between Big Bear and the San Bernardino city limits. They are now fully enforcing the school bus safety laws, such as no passing of stopped school busses that are dropping off students. Remember that passing on the shoulder is illegal for any reason in San Bernardino County and is a $400 fine. They are also fully enforcing the 35-mile-per-hour speed zone in Rimforest.
Deputy Jeremy Vasquez of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department reported that 2,300 service calls have been answered. They wrote 175 reports and had 50 arrests, mostly for drugs and domestic violence, and they have been doing warrant arrests for other jurisdictions.
Nic Turner from the San Bernardino County Fire District said they average 3,500 calls for service, about 15 per day locally, for all types of calls, including one over-the-side retrieval. He reminded the community of the residential assessment program, where they will send out upon request a fire inspector, who will suggest ways for the homeowner to better “fire-harden” their property from fire.
The fire district will receive two new Sno-Cats, which will also have a blade so they can also clear a road for fire trucks, if needed, and for rescues.
Senator Ochoa Bogh will have a community meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Rim High School. The public is invited to attend.
The next mountain area Municipal Advisory Council meeting will be held in Crestline on Tuesday, Oct. 7 when the Crest Forest MAC will meet at 24640 San Moritz Drive. The next Lake Arrowhead MAC will meet on Nov. 6 at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department and government building on Highway 189.
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