By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Reporter
Once a year the Lake Arrowhead and Crest Forest Municipal Advisory Councils (MAC) meet together to hear the issues that affect the other area. On Dec. 2, they met at the San Moritz Lodge in Crestline and heard from governmental agencies about local and San Bernardino County issues. About 30 residents attended this meeting.
The meeting opened with County Supervisor Dawn Rowe, who represents both areas, attending by Zoom. She showed a PowerPoint presentation of the county’s year in review.
Crestline was showcased for its Corks & Hops events, which Supervisor Rowe attended with her family along with thousands of others, as well as the 150,000 visitors that Lake Gregory Regional Park had attracted this past year, bringing in $3 million in revenue, offering the town an economic engine.
Robin Bull, Rowe’s local representative, highlighted some of the investment the county has done in the local area, such as the construction of five new pickleball courts at Mackay Park, in the dam area of Lake Arrowhead, plus the recent approval of the funding for a “destination playground” for Lake Gregory, next to the San Moritz meadow. It is hoped the ground-breaking for the playground equipment will be in January with a completion date in spring.
San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey spoke on the challenges facing the fire agency. They are responsible for 20,000 square miles, which is several times larger than Orange County. They protect the people with 150,000 calls for service, but actually see their jobs as working to prevent those calls by proactive and smart mitigation methods. They are considered one of the more innovative and tech friendly counties in California using technology to keep fires small, having spent $7 million in mitigation this last year. “The mountains always have a battalion chief on duty on the mountain,” Chief Munsey said.
San Bernardino County is the third most dangerous county in the U.S. with the number of environmental threats from earthquakes, fires, mudslides, lightning, snowstorms, human-caused fires, accidents, search and rescue and medical calls.
Assistant Fire Chief Peter Brierty is the new wildland fuels management officer for the county. He spoke about a $200 million grant with Cal Fire to remove dead trees killed by the bark beetles. This program should help to keep fires small with less fuel in the forest.
The fire agencies are cooperative with Southern Edison Company on their Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) electrical shutdowns to prevent future fires possibly caused from arcing electrical lines during wind and other weather events. Brierty reminded the audience about abatement of both lateral and horizontal fuels help prevent fire growth.
Battalion Chief Jerren Grundy reported that in October there were 199 calls for service and in November 202 calls, numbers that are similar to last year. They have sandbags and sand at their manned stations now, and hope those who may need them will set them out early so they are not flooded when the storms do arrive.
If you are concerned about your gas meters in the snow, see the Southern California Gas website now, to see how to safely brush off meters with brooms during snowstorms or how to build a safety enclosure for blizzard conditions.
Cal Fire’s Chief Hostetter spoke by Zoom on the vegetation removal for fire safety. It is recommended to remove all vegetation within five feet of all buildings. He reminded the audience that burned soil doesn’t absorb rain very well, which is what leads to mudflows after a fire; it also makes it difficult for the soil to regrow plants with roots that will hold the soil.
Captain Craig Harris, commander of the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station, said there had been 2,015 calls for service with 36 arrests and 10 citations. There are fewer burglaries since more homes are being rented as Airbnbs and are thus occupied and not vacant.
CHP reported that the numerous closures of Highway 330 since the 38 has been closed has seemed to lead to frustrated drivers who make poor decisions that are leading to accidents. They have changed how they call for assistance for an accident to clear the roadway sooner. Traffic violations have increased and more tickets are being written. The CHP Instagram and Facebook pages will explain road closures to affected drivers.
Since Caltrans will continue to work on Highway 330 and the snow traffic will be increasing, motorists are urged to be patient.
This spring the Lake Gregory Yacht Club will be offering sailing lessons on Lake Gregory. They are considering a crosswalk across Lake Gregory Drive at Tyrol and San Mortiz Drive as people keep crossing there.
This last year saw 16,000 fishermen on the lake and $150,000 will be spent on fish to stock the lake next season. The rangers check the fishing licenses of those fishermen; they have devised a tool for removing fishing lines from the plants and trees.
The Rim of the World Recreation and Park District reported on the many activities completed this year including the Run Through the Pines. Edison is using their facilities during PSPS events for charging of devices. They are designing a dog park for the Running Springs area.
Mountain Transit is currently seeing space to park their 13 busses in the Crestline area next year as they repair the burned building and facilities. Contact them if you have a space None of their busses will be operating on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1.
Laura Dyberg of the Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council presented a PowerPoint of 2025 in review. Since 1998 they have spent $6 million with their chipping program, shredding papers, green waste removal and helping to clear parcels and harden homes. They have offered insurance workshops and will be producing a new magazine, “Living with Wildfire,” this next month; it will be placed in everyone’s mailboxes and available at chamber offices and fire stations.
Representatives of the mountain’s three chambers of commerce updated the MACs on their recent activities.
The next MAC meeting will be the Lake Arrowhead MAC, held in the sheriff’s community room in Twin Peaks at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The next Crest Forest MAC meeting will be held at the San Moritz Lodge at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
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