With the possibility of fall rains looming, San Bernardino County Public Works Director Noel Castillo has detailed crews to various areas burned out by the Bridge and Line fires to assess the damage, determine the impact the loss of scrub and vegetation will have on the sheet flow of water during rainstorms and clear natural waterways and existing channels and storm drains of any debris that will obstruct water runoff or exacerbate flooding and uncontrollable waves of mud impacting roads or inundating nearby populated areas.
According to a statement put out by the county on October 16, the “fires have left areas vulnerable to flooding, prompting the department to proactively implement risk mitigation measures.”
Both the Line Fire, which began on September 5, and the Bridge Fires, which first ignited on September 8, have resisted for more than six weeks 100 percent containment, resulting, respectively in the charring of 43,978 acres in the Sn Bernardino Mountains entirely in San Bernardino County and 55,118 acres in the Angeles National Forest and its environs in both Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. The burn areas created by those conflagrations, denuded of vegetation in large areas or swaths, can, in the event of a deluge, turn into pathways of irresistible torrents which will sweep what in normal conditions are immovable objects, such as machinery, vehicles and houses, in a cascade as the water, pushed by gravity, rushes to lower ground.
The county statement said that “As winter approaches, San Bernardino County Public Works is intensifying efforts to protect communities impacted by the recent Bridge and Line fires. The flood control district, part of the San Bernardino County Department of Public Works, has been consistently coordinating with CalFire [the California Division of Forestry and Fire Protection], the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team and the California Watershed Emergency Response Teams (WERTs) to establish a plan for preparing for future floods and debris flows in the affected areas of our county. Public works operations crews have been clearing debris, vegetation and sediment from basins, channels and storm drains to prevent blockages that could lead to flooding, especially in fire-affected regions. Flood control teams are on standby 24/7, ready to respond as storms approach. Pre-staged equipment has been strategically placed across the county for quick mobilization.”
In a sign that San Bernardino County has is adapting the technology of the postmodern age to effective use, Castillo said the county flood control district, to enhance flood risk monitoring, has installed 26 additional flood control cameras, bringing the total in use by his department to 86. The cameras provide real-time surveillance of flood-prone areas, allowing for immediate detection of rising water levels and potential hazards. “A comprehensive dashboard provides real-time data from these cameras and rain gauges, enabling personnel to track rainfall and flood conditions,” Castillo said. “This internal system is crucial for maintaining situational awareness before and during storms. Additionally, the Flood Area Safety Taskforce (FAST) is regularly organized to evaluate conditions and determine if action is necessary. FAST calls involve key county emergency responders and weather experts who provide real-time updates and coordinate responses as storms approach.”
Castillo intoned, “This is not just about being prepared—it’s about protecting the people we serve.” He said his department’s coordinated efforts and increased readiness ensure county teams can respond effectively to any challenges posed by winter storms.