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Volunteers Clear Dead Trees to Prevent Big Bear Wildfires
10 Jun
Summary
- Team Rubicon volunteers are clearing dead trees and vegetation in Big Bear.
- This mitigation effort addresses wildfire risks from past fires in 2022 and 2024.
- Over 350 trees have been dropped by volunteers during their two-week deployment.
In Big Bear, veteran-led disaster response organization Team Rubicon is undertaking a significant effort to mitigate wildfire risks by removing dead trees and vegetation. This initiative is part of a long-term plan addressing the aftermath of the 2022 Radford Fire and the 2024 Line Fire.
Since September 2022, the area has been closed due to hazards. Robin Brown, a retired firefighter with Team Rubicon, highlighted the increasing danger of dead trees falling. Volunteers, including those from Colorado, Alaska, and Canada, are chopping down hundreds of charred trees near Skyline Road.
This crucial work, in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, aims to accelerate hazard reduction. Mike Page of the U.S. Forest Service in the San Bernardino National Forest noted Team Rubicon's vital role in supplementing their efforts. After five days, over 350 trees were removed, and the team anticipates a two-week deployment.
Team Rubicon has established an incident command center at a Big Bear elementary school, led by Bob Yturralde. Yturralde emphasized the organization's proactive approach, moving from post-crisis response to mitigating potential future problems.
