| History of Arrowhead Communities Fire Safe Council |
Arrowhead Communities Fire Safe Council was formed in April 1999, participating as a
member of another fire safe council chapter. In a short time community members
recognized the unique qualities and needs of greater Lake Arrowhead and formed its own
Fire Safe Council. Initially, the name San Bernardino Mountains Fire Safe Council was
chosen. However, the name did not capture the individuality and national identity of Lake
Arrowhead, and was changed to Arrowhead Communities Fire Safe Council (ACFSC).
Communities within the sphere of influence of ACFSC include Aqua Fria, Blue Jay, Crest
Park, Cedar Glen, Deer Lodge Park, Arrowhead Villas, Sky Forest, Strawberry Flats, Twin
Peaks, Rim Forest, and Lake Arrowhead. This area makes up a large segment of
approximately 110 square miles of critical wildland urban intermix within the most visited
national forest in the nation.
The first test to the Council and community was the Willow Fire in August 1999 when
64,000 acres of land burned over several days and little information was available to the
public.
The Willow Fire provided the ground work that resulted in extraordinary evacuation
planning and community awareness of fire safety steps prior to the "Old Fire" of October
2003.
The California Fire Siege of 2003 (Oct-Nov) consisted of 14 fires burning simultaneously
in California. Two of those fires caused significant impact to Southern California
communities in and around Lake Arrowhead.
These fires were the Grand Prix and Old Fire, which raised ACFSC to national recognition
and focused the eyes of the nation on Southern California forests at a time when
thousands of homes were lost, and 20 deaths occurred in a series of disastrous fires.
As an active member and contributing organization to the Mountain Area Safety
Taskforce (MAST), ACFSC plays a significant role in representing the concerns and
needs of the local population. Serving many small communities surrounding Lake
Arrowhead, ACFSC focuses its energy and attention on all community needs in order to
maximize service and minimize fire potential risks in the San Bernardino Mountain region.
As a non-profit public benefit corporation, ACFSC seeks grant funding for use in all
aspects to be an important community liaison between residents and agencies of all
forest and fire organizations. Educational events, seminars, town hall meetings, and key
news releases are all geared to reach the communities of greater Lake Arrowhead, and
interested residents elsewhere.
Coordination and collaboration with governmental agencies through MAST, the Mountain
Area Safety Taskforce, includes work with the USDA/USFS, California Dept. of Forestry
and Fire Protection, County of San Bernardino Fire, Bureau of Land Management, and
many others, raising ACFSC to national prominence among fire and forestry agencies.
However, it is the voice of the community in action that provides strength and vibrant
energy that makes ACFSC a leader among Fire Safe Councils.
We urge you to explore all sites in our web pages. Feel free to let us know what we can
do to serve you better. Contact us at the link provided below.
You are invited to attend our meetings held on the second Thursday of each even
numbered month, at Fire Station 91, located at 301 South Highway 173, directly across
from the 7-11 market. Meetings begin at 7:00 PM, concluding at 9:00 PM in the
Community Room, ground floor to the left of the main entrance.
For more information contact Gerry Newcombe, President, (909) 337-3383.
We hope to see YOU at our next meeting,
Sincerely,
Gerald W. Newcombe
President, ACFSC
member of another fire safe council chapter. In a short time community members
recognized the unique qualities and needs of greater Lake Arrowhead and formed its own
Fire Safe Council. Initially, the name San Bernardino Mountains Fire Safe Council was
chosen. However, the name did not capture the individuality and national identity of Lake
Arrowhead, and was changed to Arrowhead Communities Fire Safe Council (ACFSC).
Communities within the sphere of influence of ACFSC include Aqua Fria, Blue Jay, Crest
Park, Cedar Glen, Deer Lodge Park, Arrowhead Villas, Sky Forest, Strawberry Flats, Twin
Peaks, Rim Forest, and Lake Arrowhead. This area makes up a large segment of
approximately 110 square miles of critical wildland urban intermix within the most visited
national forest in the nation.
The first test to the Council and community was the Willow Fire in August 1999 when
64,000 acres of land burned over several days and little information was available to the
public.
The Willow Fire provided the ground work that resulted in extraordinary evacuation
planning and community awareness of fire safety steps prior to the "Old Fire" of October
2003.
The California Fire Siege of 2003 (Oct-Nov) consisted of 14 fires burning simultaneously
in California. Two of those fires caused significant impact to Southern California
communities in and around Lake Arrowhead.
These fires were the Grand Prix and Old Fire, which raised ACFSC to national recognition
and focused the eyes of the nation on Southern California forests at a time when
thousands of homes were lost, and 20 deaths occurred in a series of disastrous fires.
As an active member and contributing organization to the Mountain Area Safety
Taskforce (MAST), ACFSC plays a significant role in representing the concerns and
needs of the local population. Serving many small communities surrounding Lake
Arrowhead, ACFSC focuses its energy and attention on all community needs in order to
maximize service and minimize fire potential risks in the San Bernardino Mountain region.
As a non-profit public benefit corporation, ACFSC seeks grant funding for use in all
aspects to be an important community liaison between residents and agencies of all
forest and fire organizations. Educational events, seminars, town hall meetings, and key
news releases are all geared to reach the communities of greater Lake Arrowhead, and
interested residents elsewhere.
Coordination and collaboration with governmental agencies through MAST, the Mountain
Area Safety Taskforce, includes work with the USDA/USFS, California Dept. of Forestry
and Fire Protection, County of San Bernardino Fire, Bureau of Land Management, and
many others, raising ACFSC to national prominence among fire and forestry agencies.
However, it is the voice of the community in action that provides strength and vibrant
energy that makes ACFSC a leader among Fire Safe Councils.
We urge you to explore all sites in our web pages. Feel free to let us know what we can
do to serve you better. Contact us at the link provided below.
You are invited to attend our meetings held on the second Thursday of each even
numbered month, at Fire Station 91, located at 301 South Highway 173, directly across
from the 7-11 market. Meetings begin at 7:00 PM, concluding at 9:00 PM in the
Community Room, ground floor to the left of the main entrance.
For more information contact Gerry Newcombe, President, (909) 337-3383.
We hope to see YOU at our next meeting,
Sincerely,
Gerald W. Newcombe
President, ACFSC
For Directions to ACFSC meetings, enter your address in the Yahoo Maps link: and click
"show me the way" - Yahoo does not have specific street addresses for Lake
Arrowhead Fire Station.
Click on "Get Directions" and a map will pop up to direct you from Highway 18 down
Highway 173 toward Fire Station 91.
"show me the way" - Yahoo does not have specific street addresses for Lake
Arrowhead Fire Station.
Click on "Get Directions" and a map will pop up to direct you from Highway 18 down
Highway 173 toward Fire Station 91.