Hi all: A friend that lives near by checked on Buckhorn today and said that the area is some distance from the fire and forest service personal up there do not think the fire will get anywhere near Buckhorn unless there is a drastic change. Mike...
Doc, We're fine with anywhere in southern California. We might want to think about alternative locations now. Even if Buckhorn is spared (as it hopefully will be), the fire danger will still be high and I doubt the rangers will be happy with a camp stove convention. We could, as someone suggested previously, cook with propane. But it would be better if we had a spot where we could safely use our preferred stoves and lanterns. ....Arch
I agree with Arch, The authorities will be watching the area very closely for some time after its 'contained'. BTW, contained doesn't mean its out! they'll be watching for hotspots and just maybe, a pyro or six...! Wouldn't hurt to have a few alternate sites in mind....
I am still in favor of Buckhorn. I believe we as stovies are much more aware of fire danger than the average camper. As an ex firefighter I am sure the authorities will see it that way too. I think our presence would actually be appreciated. Regardless of where we camp please remember to bring extinguishers, a bucket and a shovel plus a first aid kit. Mike
Morning, Guys, I agree with you, and will check out a few alternative campsites, over on this side of Cajon Pass. Dogwood Campground is a quaint little spot, only a few miles from us, and we've enjoyed camping there before, They have flush toilets, piped water, and showers, as well as some fairly large campsites. It's best to have reservations, so if we need to, I'll make such arrangements and pay for everything in advance. You guys can reimburse me later, if that's OK. Another spot, which may well be open and have lots of room for us, is a semi-desert site down by Mojave River Forks Dam, North of us. There are some trees there, but it's nothing like it would be up here on the mountain. Lots of space, though, with tables, toilets, and such. We've never camped there, but I have passed it many times over the years, and often wondered about checking it out. We'll be over in Big Bear for an event, in the next few days, and I'll look around over there, too. As to keeping the cooking a "gassie affair", I suggested that because of possible fire restrictions that might limit the use of liquid fueled stoves. If we HAVE to go that route, we can always bring our regular stoves, for show and tell, and for some fettling and fun. But, we can only fire up our gassie stoves, which should satisfy the authorities. I'll Keep an eye on the situation, and report back as info comes to hand. By the way, I did talk to the Booshway (Boss) of the event we'll be attending over North of Big Bear, and asked about fire restrictions. He suggested that we might cook on propane, as we usually do at that event, but also told me that, so far, above ground fires, and the use of charcoal, has been approved for this event. That, of course, could drastically change in the next several days, however! Again, I'll keep you posted on any and all news. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Morning, Flivver, Yeah, I hope that Buckhorn still is available to us, and think that it will be, God willing. But, just to be safe, I'll continue to check out other sites, so we can be prepared to change venue location, if necessary. Your suggestions for fire extinguishers, and other good stuff, is well taken, and I second them! We always bring such things, and think it's a good thing if everyone does, especially in light of our current situation. In any case, I'm very much looking forward to our event, no matter where it's held! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Also: as Jim stated earlier please obtain campfire permits as these are also needed for stoves and are free and can be printed off your computer, no hassle. The forest service has no problem with liquid fuel in pressure tank stoves and lanterns. Mike...
Hey, Flivver, Interestingly enough, it seems that somethings liquid-fueled stoves are verboten, depending on the fire situation. In the last several years, the event over North of Big Bear has had severe fire retrictions, to include ALL liquid-fueled stoves. Propane and butane are OK, when such restrictions are in place, and in fact, I've retro-fitted a couple of our 18th century charcoal braziers to each house a Coleman 10K BTU burner, which connect to hoses and to a hidden propane supply. Works, even if not "period correct", and allows us to camp when other might not choose to participate, with fire bans and such. For what it's worth.... Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Correction; At this very moment there is a Southern Calif. restriction on liquid fuel that is expected to be lifted by our camping date. I hope so as I will not attend if ban is still in place. We use liquid fuel only. Mike...
Hi All: Maybe a mid October date would make more sense. My wife would sure like to see Sweet Bride. Sill plenty of time to change vacation etc. after all the idea is to use our stoves, shall we rename the club the Classic Gathering/ Camping Club? Mike.. P.S.: November would work too, except for Thanksgiving.
Hey, Mike, I was actually hoping for a November date, but things worked out for the best for all of us, I'm sure. I still think we can, and will, have a fine time at Buckhorn, and that, by the time of the event, liquid-fueled stoves will once again be OK to use. As for myself, I'd rather cook on propane, if we had to, rather than not come! But, I understand your situation, and respect your decisions in such things. Unfortunately, mid-October would not work for us, though we're certainly open to something later, if you and your Bride want to come this way sometime. Or, we might be able to come and visit that special place about which you told me, once before, up in your local mountains, around Kingman. Sounded like a good place for a camp. In any case, plenty of time to work something out for the future, which would include both of our Ladies. We look forward to that happening. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hey, Steve, We've been trying to keep an eye on what's happening with the fires to the West, East, and South of us, and most of the information that we're seeking is not forthcoming. Lots of misinformation, and lots of contradictory reporting, so far. In any case, it does appear that the Station Fire is moving in our direction, and consequently in the direction of the Buckhorn Campground. They are saying it should not show much signs of containment for at least two weeks!! If that's true, and if this fire continues to burn out of control, as it has been doing, there is a more than fair chance that we will lose Buckhorn to the flames. We hope and pray that this will not happen. But, one way, or the other, our event may have to be put on hold, postponed, or rescheduled, due to the hypercritical fire situation down this way. This morning, Sweet Bride and I awoke to lots of soot and ash on our decks, and last night we really had trouble sleeping, with the super heavy smoke in the air. Now that the day is more underway, the smoke has lifted, but we're still concerned about how things are going in the many fires that surround our mountains. I will be calling the Lake Arrowhead Fire Department as soon as I send this off, to see if they think we have reason to worry, here above Crestline. If they think it's prudent, we'll be bagging our participation in the Living History event over North of Big Bear, and staying home to keep our eyes peeled, ready to go, if we have to. We are hoping and praying that this will not happen, and that those who are currently in danger will soon be seeing safety and relief. I'll keep you posted. Jim, if you are checking in, please let us know how things are for you, your Mom, and your family. Thanks, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Mark
I am not away of any fires near Crestline. I am guessing the nearest to you is the small one near Yucaipa. The Station fire is huge but seems to be moving mostly north and slightly west. Buckhorn is a good 20-30 miles as the crow flies from there. So I am hoping Buckhorn won't be damaged. But if the Santa Anas kick in all bets are off. Silverwood Lake is about 10 miles east of I 15 Cajon pass(Klegghorn road I think) and has a large lake with some trees, not a forest tho. Lots of campsites and RV spots, some group camps. In the off season they are empty, but close down some of the camp ground loops. No hookups, but water, showers and toilets. For guaranteed no forest fire camping, ther is Salton Sea(Bleak Dessert but a large "lake"), and of course further north plenty of desert spots. I think Buckhorn will be good this month thru November, but like I said with Santa Anas, fire can leap frog all thru Angeles crest. But, I think the Santa Anas blow southwest which means the fire would head more towards LA and Pasadena. We will have to keep our eye on things and see if there are alternates. Love California fire season. BTW Fire season hasn't really started yet. Jim Henderson
Buckhorn Campground hasn't been hit (yet), but the fire is headed in that general direction. Maybe I've already posted this, but this is the largest fire in Los Angeles County since 1897, more than 100 years ago. I haven't seen the official announcement, but supposedly they're going to close all of the Angeles National Forest east of Hwy 14. That closure would include Buckhorn. Depending on what the fire does over the next several days, Buckhorn may or may not be open. I wouldn't count on it. East of Cajon Pass, there are several nice campgrounds around the Barton Flats area. I in particular like South Fork. There is also a group campsite (Oso-Lobo?) that one can reserve if one so desires. Barton Flats directly abuts the San Gorgonio Wildernes Area, which is either the #1 or #2 most beautiful mountain area in Southern California (The San Jacinto Wilderness Area is as nice but is smaller). I think that there are even showers at Barton Flats Campground. For info about the area, contact: MILL CREEK RANGER STATION 34701 Mill Creek Rd. Mentone, CA 92359 (909) 382-2881 There are other places to camp of course, but this general area is the nicest I know of in the San Bernardino Mountains. HJ
Hualapai Mountain Park? A very nice place. They even have for rent quaint Civilian Conservation Corps cabins that were built during the Great Depression. It's also got some nice hiking.
In order for the Station Fire to get to you, Doc, it would have to jump Cajon pass. Interstate Highway 15 that goes through there makes a very good fire break. God forbid that it should ever get anywhere near there, but if it did, then they'd have a very good chance of stopping it at the pass. If it jumps the pass, pack your bags. Sorry I haven't posted for a couple of days. Things were touch and go here for a while. I'll post more about that on the Fire thread. By the way, November would work well for me in terms of a gathering. Buckhorn is under an hour for me to drive to, but getting out to the mountains east of Cajon Pass usually requires a couple of hour's drive each way. Farther away in September means less likely that I can come. Not that you should arrange things around me, but I'd love to come, were it possible. I encourage you to keep to Sept 29 if that's the best date for the most people. If I miss, that just means we have to hold another one next year, so I can come, and I might bring two lovely ladies with me then. Michiko is due in 2 1/2 weeks (Sept 20) by the way.
