By Mike Harris
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
Saying that the funding will pay for a critical safety improvement for both firefighters and the motoring public, county supervisors at the Dec. 17 meeting approved spending $500,000 for traffic flashing lights at Arrowbear Lake Fire Department’s Fire Station 271.
The flashing lights will be used to warn motorists that fire trucks will be exiting Station 271, located along SR-18, which is set back from the highway, and with blind curves on either side.
Arrowbear Lake Fire Chief Paul Lindley told the Alpine Mountaineer that the flashing warning lights are critical.
“Every time we pull out of the station, we put firefighters and equipment at risk, along with motorists passing by,” Chief Lindley said. “Motorists come around the blind corners so fast that it’s a real danger.”
Lindley added that a replacement fire engine these days can cost around $1.5 million.
While there have been close calls, about five years ago there was a collision between a car and a fire engine.
Chief Lindley said he’s been working on getting flashing warning lights installed for about six years.
“We are very thankful for Supervisor Rowe’s support for this project,” he said, adding that on one of her visits to Station 271 even she had a close call.
Arrowbear Lake Fire Department is now starting to work with county traffic engineering and with Caltrans to get necessary encroachment permits.
Chief Lindley said there is no start or completion date yet, “But my hope is to have this completed by the end of 2026.”
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