The recent fires have left Big Bear Valley residents in a haze, the good news is that some of it was the marine layer moving in to help with fire control.

The pristine blue sky was suddenly filled with clouds--but not the kind mountain residents like to see. Instead of the white billowly friends, the heavens were filled with ominous brown and black clouds of smoke. The blaze, now dubbed the Upper Santa Ana Burn, began as a prescribed burn that quickly ignited into a hostile fire shortly after  2 p.m. on March 25, 2004.

It quickly climbed the upper Santa Ana watershed--propelled up the steep terrain by 100-foot flames. It crested over two peaks at Bear Mountain Ski Resort in Big Bear Lake and the flames could be seen across the valley. 

The Big Bear area has been put on alert, but not evacuated. Optimistic reports say the blaze will be 100% contained by day's end on March 26, 2004. 40% containment was reported at 6am on March 26, 2004, compared to 20% last night. A marine layer has moved into the valley assisting with moisture levels.

The risk of fire has escalated with the draught conditions. This spring has already been unseasonably warm. The risk of fire is not a new one however. Exactly six months ago the "Old Fire" swept through the San Bernardino Mountains damaging thousands of acres and impacting every mountain community in the area. The entire mountain was evacuated.

"I wrote an article on the local tree ordinances and state of the forest some time back. During an interview for that story, the forestry department told me we were literally sitting in a tinderbox," says author Diana L. Guerrero. Guerrero lives in the valley of Big Bear Lake, California where a recent prescribed burn got out of control threatening the local ski resorts and community.

"There is no an easy answer" she continued, "something has to be done and these burns, if handled well and if the weather cooperates, will will form a much needed fire break. It is also the opportunity to reassess the forest management efforts. If we are lucky there won't be any significant losses of life or property."

Fire officials are concerned about the psychological toll the wildfire could inflict upon mountain residents. "It takes a while for people to recover from the trauma of any crisis." Guerrero said. "In the early 1990's I was involved in the emergency preparedness field for the Big Bear Valley and nationally. Fire, earthquakes, and hurricanes have long lasting emotional effects on a community. But mountain residents are resilient. "

Guerrero  has been part of the animal rescue crews with American Humane Association and other organizations. She helped to build the Animal Planet Rescue Rig and is the author of "Animal Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals." She was also one of the contributing editors to "Resources For Crisis Management in Zoos and Other Animal Care Facilities."

Guerrero is scheduled to leave on book tour again this weekend. This time she is promoting a book geared toward animal lovers and spiritual seekers. When asked if her book, "What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality" might give some comfort to those facing those fiery challenges, she said, "I hope so. The book is filled with uplifting stories about human personal and spiritual growth sparked by animals. There are no fire rescue stories there--only one on hurricanes." Guerrero's books are available in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Visit her website at www.arkanimals.com for more information.