Evacuation warning issued for burn scar areas from El Dorado & Apple fires
The San Bernardino County Fire Department has issued an evacuation warning for burn scar areas from the El Dorado Fire and the Apple Fire.
The warning is just ahead of a winter storm expected to hit the Inland Empire late Thursday night and into Friday morning.
Fire officials are concerned that heavy rain could cause flooding and debris flows in the neighborhoods in and near burn scar areas.
The warnings affect a handful of neighborhoods generally along Beaumont Avenue north of Oak Valley Parkway.
Click here to enroll in the Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) for shelter locations and evacuation information.
WATCH: Storm #3 Takes Aim at the Southland
Today News Channel 3 will speak with residents and business owners impacted by the warning to learn what they're doing to prepare for evacuation in the event they are ordered to do so.
News Channel 3's Tom Tucker is headed to the burn scar area and will bring you live reports tonight on News Channel 3 at 5:00 and 6:00.
Resources from San Bernardino County Fire:
NEWS: Storm Predicted to Hit San Bernardino County
Recent Burn Areas at Higher Flood Risk; residents in affected areas encouraged to be prepared
The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting heavy rainfall late Thursday evening into Friday, with rain levels at the 6,000-foot level; meaning rain will melt the snowpack. If the predicated rainfall amounts occur, there is a potential for flooding, along with mud and debris flows and a strong possibility of mudslides in the recent burn areas.
Heavy rainfall can cause normally dry washes and riverbeds to become raging torrents in a very short amount of time and it only takes as little as 12 inches of moving water to move a vehicle. Never cross a road that you can’t see due to it being covered by water, remember, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”.
While the county is preparing and residents have been given instructions on what they should do to get ready, people that live in areas that have burned recently are presented with unique challenges.
Normally, vegetation absorbs rain, but after a wildfire, the charred ground where that vegetation has been burned away creates a loss of soil strength and can no longer easily absorb rainwater, increasing the risk of flooding and mudflows for several years. Properties directly affected by fires, and those located downstream of burn areas, are most at risk.
Post-fire landslide hazards include fast-moving and highly destructive debris flows. Post-fire debris flows are particularly hazardous because they can occur with little warning, can exert great impulsive loads on objects in their paths, can strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures, and endanger human life. Wildfires could potentially result in the destabilization of pre-existing deep-seated landslides over long time periods.
The best preparation for possible flooding is to plan. The Ready!Set!Go! Flood Preparation brochure (https://www.sbcfire.org/Programs/ReadySetGoFlood.aspx) will show you some of the things you can do to protect your home, property and family. You’ll find information about how to prepare for wet weather, things like cleaning out rain gutters and storm drains, where you can sign up for emergency alerts, fire stations that have sandbags available, and what you should have in an emergency kit. There is also specific information for areas that have recently been burned by wildfire.
Sandbags can be extremely effective when used properly. Sandbags do not guarantee a water-tight seal, but properly placed sandbags can help redirect water, mud and debris away from your home. Click https://bit.ly/2KDoAYP to find your closest sand and sandbag location, or visit www.sbcfire.org.
Weather Alert Terminology
When heavy rain has been forecast – or when heavy, steady rain is falling – monitor the news, websites and social media sites for updated weather conditions. The phrasing meteorologists use is important:
- Flood Watch means flooding is possible in your area.
- Flood Warning means flooding in your area is already occurring or is imminent.
- Flash Flood Warning is sudden violent flooding that is already occurring or is imminent. Flash floods often come up quickly during heavy rain and can be experienced in areas not immediately receiving rain.
Evacuation Terminology
Public Safety officials issue evacuations when there is an immediate/possible threat to the public. Never ignore an evacuation order/warning, as it could mean a matter of life or death.
- Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is fully closed to public access.
- Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
- Shelter in Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.
Resources
- El Dorado/Apple Fire Burn Area Information
https://burnareainfo.sbcounty.gov/
- Ready! Set! Go! Flood Preparation Tips
https://www.sbcfire.org/Programs/ReadySetGoFlood.aspx
- Sand & Sandbag Locations
https://bit.ly/2KDoAYP
- National Weather Service
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/ to see current and upcoming weather events
- ReadySB App
http://www.ReadySB.com provides residents with multiple resources that will assist them in preparing for a disaster such as flooding. ReadySB is now available as a free download from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
- Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS)
https://www.sbcounty.gov/TENS register to receive emergency text messages on your cell phone. Those without internet connections can sign up by calling 211 or (909) 980-2857 for assistance in registering.
UPDATE:
Eric Triplett, the owner of Pond Digger Ranch pointed out burn scar areas from the Apple Fire and the El Dorado fire on his property, which includes a wild animal sanctuary.
“We’re worried about all the wildlife that is in jeopardy. We have some other animal rehabilitation ranches up the road we are worried about," said Triplett.
Triplett and others in Oak Glen and nearby Cherry Valley are among the residents who received evacuation warnings Wednesday morning from the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
They were warned of mudslides and possible flooding in the area when the storm hits.
"All of our friends and the people below us are in jeopardy," said Triplett.
The evacuation warning primarily affects neighborhoods along Beaumont Avenue and Oak Glen Road, north of Oak Valley Parkway.
Triplett says the Apple fire started on a hillside just about 50 yards from his home.
Now It’s potential flooding on the other side of his property that has his attention.
Flood warning signs are posted around Oak Glen and Cherry Valley, where the owner of Antonius Pizza says he’ll open his dining room to serve as a temporary shelter if residents are forced to leave their homes.
“A lot of people live in the mobile home park behind us. It’s gonna be sad for them especially the elderly people," said Andy Mikhail.
Cameras are also now positioned in the canyon next to Triplett's property.
They were installed by the county to keep an eye on mud and water flows in the canyon along Oak Glenn Road.
People we spoke with say they’re hoping for the best but prepared for the worst.
