As of Monday, March 13, Orange County Fire Authority crews were approaching a second week of emergency snow operations in the San Bernardino Mountains.

A series of late-February storms brought multiple feet of snow to the Crestline/Lake Arrowhead region, blocking roads and trapping many residents inside their homes.

Video posted on the OC Fire Authority Instagram page shows firefighters clearing paths through snow, clearing snow from gas meters and delivering supplies to residents. 

“Through the State Master Mutual Aid System, we have had our Hand Crews, a Type 6 Strike Team, and overhead personnel up in the San Bernardino Mountains assisting the communities get through the effects of multiple snow and rain storms,” the post read. “The firefighters have been working tirelessly opening roads for 911 access, digging out critical infrastructure, and getting elderly residents out where trapped. In addition, the crews have also assisted with responding to calls for service ranging from emergency calls to delivering much-needed food and medicine to people in need. Crews also served at a distribution point for firewood and sand and sandbags.

Sean Doran, OCFA Fire Captain and Public Information Officer, explained to Irvine Weekly that firefighters were searching homes that have been impacted by large amounts of snowfall and making contact with residents in their homes.  

Doran added that more than 60 OC Fire Authority crew members had been assisting both the San Bernardino County Fire department and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in snow emergency operations since Tuesday, March 7. 

More snowfall is expected to hit the San Bernardino Mountains on Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service. 

With fog, rain and snow above 8,000 feet, the NWS also expects winds up to 60 mph in the San Bernardino Mountains. 

“Areas of winds southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph…except southwest 30 to 40 mph near ridge tops and along desert slopes. Near ridge tops and along desert slopes, gusts to 65 mph…becoming 60 mph overnight,” reports the NWS.

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