San Bernardino National Forest

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San Bernardino National Forest has two main divisions which are the San Bernardino Mountains on the easternmost of the Transverse Range, and the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains on the northernmost of the Peninsular Range. Covering more than 800,000 acres (3,200 km²), with elevations that range from 2,000 to 11,502 feet (600 to 3506 m), the forest includes five wilderness areas: San Gorgonio, Cucamonga, San Jacinto, Santa Rosa and Bighorn Mountain. This National Forest is managed by the USDA Forest Service. The Forest Supervisor is currently Jeanne Wade Evans.

The five-member crew of Alandale Forest Fire Station's Engine 57 was killed at the Esperanza Fire, November 26, 2006. The fire was located near Beaumont, California in Riverside County. Alandale station is located near the community of Idyllwild.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Firefighting aircraft operations 3 External links 4 Notes

[edit] Geography

According to US Geological Survey maps of the Forest, it consists of two large areas or tracts: a northern and southern portion.

The west border of the Forest adjoins Angeles National Forest and runs north-south about ten miles west of Interstate 15. At its widest parts, the northern portion of the Forest runs about 57 miles in an east-west dimension. It runs about 24 miles in a north-south dimension. This portion of the forest encompasses the San Bernardino Mountains. The area has a west extent west of Mount San Antonio 34°17′20″N, 117°38′45″W, Mount Baldy, and Wrightwood in San Bernardino County. Parts of the east extent of this portion extend about ten miles east of Big Bear City and include the San Gabriel Wilderness. The most southern portion is bisected by the Riverside County line and abuts the Morongo Indian Reservation north of Cabazon.

At its widest point, the southern portion is about 27 miles in a north-south dimension and about 30 miles in an east-west dimension. Toro Peak, located at NAD27 coordinates 33°31′24″N, 116°25′29″W, and the Santa Rosa Indian Reservation are near the south extent. At the north is Snow Creek Village and the Morongo Indian Reservation. Out of the southern portion is carved Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness. The community of Idyllwild is surrounded by National Forest lands.

While most Forests include lumber resources, these two areas also include:

• Residential communities and resorts.
• Indian resources such as historically-important caves and pictographs.^[1]
• A University of California research station. ^[2]

[edit] Firefighting aircraft operations

An unknown number of aircraft are based in San Bernardino. As of 2001, eight Air Tactical Group Supervisors (ATGSs) work out of the Forest Supervisor's Office in San Bernardino. This position requires completion of an 80 hour CDF/Forest Service attack management course. A Helicopter Coordinator (J-374) course is recommended. ^[3]

[edit] External links

• San Bernardino National Forest Official Site
• Off-Road Trails in the San Bernardino National Forest
• Forest Supervisor Evans web page.

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Anthony, Craig E., Unit Chief, Riverside Unit Fire Management Plan 2005, (Perris, California: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Riverside Unit, 2005.)
2. ^ Anthony, Craig E., Unit Chief, Riverside Unit Fire Management Plan 2005, (Perris, California: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Riverside Unit, 2005.)
3. ^ Region 5 Air Tactical and Forest Aviation Management Program: Strategic Plan, Fiscal Year 2002, (San Francisco: USDA, US Forest Service Region 5, 2001).