Courts, college closed

BIg Bear Grizzly ^ | Wednesday, October 24, 2007 2:16 PM PDT

[BenLurkin]

Due to poor air quality and hazardous air condition, classes at Crafton Community College have been canceled through Friday, Oct. 26. Additionally, court houses in the city of San Bernardino have been closed through Thursday, Oct. 25.

Soot and ash from the Slide fire are blowing into the areas making breathing difficult. The fire has burned more than 5,000 acres with no estimate for containment.

Areas west of Big Bear Lake and the dam are under mandatory evacuation due to the Slide and Grass Valley fires burning near Running Springs and Lake Arrowhead.

There is no immediate threat to Big Bear Valley. Smoke is drifting into the Valley from the Slide fire and the fire departments have been receiving calls, according to Deanne Johanson of the Big Bear City Fire Department. Fire crews are investigating all reports of smoke in the area, but all reports have been drift smoke.

Highways 18 and 330 remain closed to motorists. Highways and roadways west of the dam are also closed including Highway 138 at Highway 173 and Highway 18 at Waterman Avenue.

Highway 38 from Redlands and Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley are open with no restrictions. There is no residency requirement to enter Big Bear via Highway 18 from Lucerne or Highway 38. It is always a good idea to carry identification when leaving the mountain, however.

San Bernardino courts affected by the courthouse closure are at:

303 West Third Street, San Bernardino- civil and small claims, UD,

landlord/tenant, Court Executive Office, Legal Research.

351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino-criminal, felony,

misdemeanors, family law, DV/TRO, Family Court Services and traffic

900 East Gilbert Street, San Bernardino-juvenile delinquency

860 East Gilbert Street, San Bernardino-juvenile dependency

790 South Gifford Street, San Bernardino-court records center

175 West Fifth Street, San Bernardino-juvenile traffic and minor offenses

172 West Third Street, San Bernardino-jury administration, human resources,financial services

401 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino-appeals and appellate division

All jury service and courtroom appearances scheduled at the above facilities for Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, Oct. 25, are cancelled.

Courthouses in locations not listed above remain open.

[PAR35]

Westminster Seminary California is also closed for the week; but apparently suffered no damage.

http://www.wscal.edu/newsevents/wildfire07.10.22.php