These links were posted a few minutes ago but appear to be from early on in the incident. Exact time, or timeline, is uncertain. Photos from the scene: http://tinyurl.com/67rxga ~~ And video from the scene: http://tinyurl.com/67lhvg

The fire will be un-staffed for the night. No smoke showing. We will resume in the morning.

Ridge Wildland Fire almost contained ~~ Fire crews will continue to monitor a brush fire that broke out on a ridge in the San Bernardino National Forest about two miles northeast of Yucaipa last week, although it is almost contained and is not threatening any structures or people. The U.S. Forest Service has called most fire crews off the scene of the 275-acre blaze, although it has not been declared fully contained, dispatcher Jason Megowan said. He said a crew would continue to check the fire for the next four or five days. Cal Fire and departments from Redlands and San Bernardino City and County cooperated with the forest service to fight the Ridge Wildland Fire.

{Transcribers Note: Emergency contact information was exchanged between IC and Dispatch in the event a return before 8:00 am is necessary}

Fire will be un-staffed tonight, all units returning. The fire will be re-staffed tomorrow morning at 8:00 am. There will be some smoke showing through the night. ~ Copy.

Confirming, 301 is released off of the Ridge Incident at this time.

(Transcribers Synopsis} Air attack has been resumed on this incident this morning and full containment is expected by 6:00 pm Today.

Yeah, we've got multiple people, campers, and their cars, up here in the wash. We're having them break camp and get out. I'm gonna need you to come up here and help me get them out of here. ~ Copy, on my way.

Copy, can you make sure they're aware of the flight that's going to occur over Yucaipa Blvd? ~ Copy, I'll check

Copy that, we just saw him over the {broke} area, thank you.

We just got a call from that C-17 that was supposed to do the fly over, you should be seeing him shortly

RRU (Riverside) is requesting (Helicopter) 301, immediate need, for a new start in the San Timeto canyon area.

(Late Entry) Discussion between dispatch and Ridge IC regarding a request from {} to release two air attack units from the Ridge incident to stand by in the IA (Initial Attack)pool of available resources for the county; response was, "negative, let's keep them available to us through tonight in case we have any new starts."

We're changing location from area 29 to area 26 ~ copy

Copy, thank you. {reply} OK, you guys good? You've got water and everything? {reply} Yes.

OK, we've got a phone number for your helicopter guy. I'll give the number to your manager and when you want him to come back up, let them know. {Transcribers Note: this transmission sounded like it was regarding a hand crew being dropped in}

I'm coming down 3N12 ~ Copy, we'll meet you on 3N12 ~ Copy, give me 30 to 45 min. ~ Copy

Where are you now? {reply} We're on 2N13, just west of the gate for 3N14.

Come back on in about 20 min. and I'll let you know what the plan is. So, when you turn on your radio, call me.

If you don't come up any higher than that apot on 38, your fine.

That { } truck is in that wash

If we can, we need to cool down this { }, they are a threat.

{Transcribers Note: The Yankee Fire is on Camp Pendleton, near the Impact Area and it is now 100% contained. Therefore, they can afford to let go of a Type I Team.}

Is Div. Z going to tap into this too? Do you have any runners that can go and pick that up for us?

The Ridge fire was in need of a Type 1 Team. Per WLF a swap in resources has been negotiated so this resources can be made available for The Ridge. ~ "A trade between the CNF (Yankee) and BDF (Ridge). A Type 2 AD Crew from the Ridge Fire was swapped for a Type 1 IHC committed to the Yankee Fire."

Do you have anything for us? We're at the bottom.

{Transcribers Note: Abandoned campfire has been extinguished.}

We're coming up the hill, we're at about 6 o'clock and ready to drop.

We have an abandoned campfire at 3N34B in the Crab Flats area.

132 vector in service ~ Copy

WT 48 is back on it for the remainder of the weekend {reply} Copy

{Late entry - IC requested to have one tanker put on hold for today.}

Lead Bravo should be in your area; there are two tankers available, however if you want them, you're going to have to request them.

Affirmative on the Sheriff's airship, should be 60 Bravo {IC} Affirm, just made contact with him

AA410 ETA 45 minutes; Helitanker 761 from Cleveland ETA 08:30; South Ops wants to Divert 720 to the Gap Fire (the other heavy helitanker); {IC} Confirm we have a Type2 and Type3; {Dispatch} affirm, 761 at 8:30 and Helicopter 301 at 09:00; your Air Attack over fire in 45 minutes; {IC} Sheriff's Helicopter is not available?; {Dispatch} looks like it was supposed to be over the fire, will check on that; {IC} if we can confirm all that then ok to turn the heavy helitanker over to South Ops

we're over the Ridge Incident

Enroute from Riato; ETA 20 minutes.

Basic Information Incident Type Wildland Fire Cause Under Investigation Date of Origin Thursday July 03rd, 2008 aprox 01:34 PM Location 1 to 2 miles NE of Yucaipa Incident Commander Ken Kempter Current Situation Total Personnel 400 Size 250 acres Percent Contained 15% Estimated Containment Date Friday July 04th, 2008 aprox 08:00 PM Fuels Involved Chaparral Fire Behavior ACTIVE UPHILL RUNS, LATERAL SPREAD Significant Events Not available Outlook Planned Actions CONTINUE LINE CONSTRUCTION AND MOP UP Terrain Difficulty Steep. Containment Target WITH IN 48 HRS. Remarks Resources on scene: 1 air attack, 1 lead plane, 2 airtankers, 1 helitanker, 1 helicopter, 2 dozer, 12 entines, 3 water tenders, 1 hand crew, more resources on order. One firefighter injury-- heat exhustion. Weather Current Wind Conditions 18 mph NW Current Temperature 96 degrees Current Humidity 19 %

The Sun - San Bernardino, CA has posted the following article: YUCAIPA - A wildfire tore across a ridge Thursday afternoon, igniting 250 acres of brush and overwhelming one firefighter with its extreme heat. The Ridge Fire sent dozens of firefighters scurrying into the hills a mile north of Highway 38 and Bryant Street as the blaze stretched toward Mountain Home Village. Flames were first reported around 1:30 p.m. and initially threatened several homes in the area. No evacuations were ordered. "Twenty-foot flames started climbing the hill and then separated," said Chris Doty, who called 9-1-1 after spotting smoke curling into the sky. The flames then fanned into different directions and rapidly spread. A U.S. Forest Service firefighter was taken to a hospital after two hours of fighting the blaze. He was treated for heat exhaustion. The cause of the fire is under investigation. "There's nothing to lead us to believe it's fireworks or arson, but the fire is still under investigation," said U.S. Forest Service spokesman John Miller

Can you also get us a frequency for tomorrow?

Would like to order 2 tankers, available on base, by 08:00 tomorrow morning; {reply} copy; also it looks like we are going to get a strike team of type 6 engines for tomorrow's day shift

{Scanner chatter involves releasing of some engines for the night. Providing directions to incoming units, etc.}

FFGSW wrote at approximately 7pm: Re: CA-BDF-Ridge 250 acres holding it on the ridge line. 3-4 days worth of mop up . all forest no SRA

AA14 cannot be over the fire until 08:30

bring crew to ICP off Ivy cross of Fremont.

brush15 in quarters

Little Tujunga Hot Shots are reporting to staging at Yucaipa Park.

eng15 released from the Ridge incident.

Incident Type Wildland Fire Cause Under Investigation Date of Origin Thursday July 03rd, 2008 aprox 01:34 PM Location 1 to 2 miles NE of Yucaipa Incident Commander Ken Kempter Total Personnel 400 Size 250 acres Percent Contained 15% Resources on scene: 1 air attack, 1 lead plane, 2 airtankers, 1 helitanker, 1 helicopter, 2 dozer, 12 entines, 3 water tenders, 1 hand crew, more resources on order. One firefighter injury— heat exhaustion.

let's have the helicopters on at 07:00 ready to fly

San Bernardino Patrol 15, out of service ~ Copy

Would like to have 761 and one air attack over the fire at 07:00 tomorrow; no air tankers planned for tomorrow; at 2100 releasing the type 3 engines and disbanding our structure protection groups

Bravo, we are calling it a night, no time to get Bat back up with another load, running out of daylight.

Zulu to Bravo, thank you for all your work today

my last drop, then need to rebucket.

You want it in the drainage by my door now? Yes, we need it watered right away. On it. We have a crew in the area of the second drop, they are moving. You need to work a bit west for the next drop. So, drop out what is out my door now? Yes, at your 3 o'clock as your turning. I see flames down there. I assume that is the spot, can't see. I am on it, about to drop.

60 bravo, if you can drop in the drainage, that will buy us some time. I have two drops on board. If you can get two drops in there would be a big help.

bat2 can do a drop on that hotspot. Can you get them on this frequency? affirm. standby.

Transcriber synopsis - Air attack is returning to their home bases... these include as far away as Porterville.

tell Hemet not to launch the heavy air attack (orion) because we are out of daylight.

aa330 - We have made contact with monticeto (?scratchy) base.

aa330 on way back to Ramona, heading 150 degrees, two passengers.

{8Fire1} fire is looking really good; doing good work on it; no forward rate of spread right at the moment

Come right on up here and take a left hand turn, that's it

{Late entry from WLF} Sounds like Tac is on NIFCTAC1, fire has a pretty good wind on it 10-25 from the west, and burning in heavy chapparal with limited access. Looks like its about to get into a big chimney, with a large saddle atop, not to mention the south facing slope, 99 degrees, and 16%RH.

Ops is worried about that stuff that slopped over the ridge on the far side there; if we get smoked out over here and can't work we can flop over on that side.

Well, we got the dozer.

Portland crew 2,3 5 arrived and staged at mill creek.

I want you to fly in, get on me as tight as you can and I'll lead you in.

Spoke with John Miller USFS PIO; fire holding at 250 acres; 6 fixed wing; 3 helicopters including a type 1; they are getting the resources they need, not a problem. 1 firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and was transported to hospital. Reporter states it appears that the fire is not a significant risk at this time. The helicopters are dipping out of a pond near the forest station at Bryant and the 38. (Mill Creek Station)

{Air to Air 169.1500} You remember when you had me switch over to drop half a load? Well when I switched it back, the {} turned, but the dealie-bopper didn't.

The two type 1 crews you requested? would you take two type 2 crews instead? affirmative

SouthOps is inquiring whether you would take 2 type 2 crews {IC} Affirmative

ROTW on scene: 761 on scene just made a huge drop; looks like a Sikorsky type; "the big boy made a drop and was going for another" {Transcriber could hear helicopter close by reporter.} Spoke with Bob Poole USFS about resources. He said that it's a challenge, but so far they're getting what they're asking for. They plan for things to be tight and just do with what they can. Reporter states the fire has laid down quite a bit - wispy smoke here and there and air support hits it really hard when anything kicks up.

We are done with our investigation, anything else? negative. copy show us clear of the ridge incident.

Re: your division sups; doesn't look like you will get any for tonight; tomorrow has been filled by BDU; everything else has to be shopped at NIC

hela 761 has arrived on scene

Re: CA-BDF-Ridge Ok the fixed resources on scene are Air Attack 330, Lead Bravo 5, Tankers 00, 11, 70, 71, 73, and Tanker 76. Air resources are reporting excellent progress along with the helicopters.

AA330 has been relieved by AA410; AA330 is heading to base

ROTW on scene: sees at least 2 choppers; 3 fixed wing tankers and a spotter plane; spoke with Bob Poole USFS PIO - they are trying to hold at top of ridge; looks like it's gone over a bit but nothing critical at this point

holding around 250 acres; not much movement; lot of work still to do; tankers continue to put in retardant line {Dispatch} I copy; also got a fill on your Type 1 helicopter, enroute from Pendleton; helitanker 761; ETA 20 minutes

Location: Legal: Lat/Lon:34 05.2/117 00.7 Quad: Calculated: (34°5'12"N 117°0'42"W) (YUCAIPA CA) Elevation:3500-3800 Drainage:unknown Aspect:SOUTH Size:250 Fuel Type:unknown (Unsheltered) SPOT FORECAST FOR RIDGE...UNLISTED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA 505 PM PDT THU JUL 3 2008 FORECAST IS BASED ON REQUEST TIME OF 1654 PDT ON JULY 03. IF CONDITIONS BECOME UNREPRESENTATIVE... CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. .DISCUSSION... HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE INTERIOR SOUTHWEST STATES WILL CONTINUE TEMPERATURES ABOVE SEASONAL AVERAGES FOR INLAND AREAS THOUGH SLIGHT COOLING WILL OCCUR FRIDAY. SMALL AMOUNTS OF MID LEVEL MOISTURE COULD BRING SOME AFTERNOON CLOUDS TO THE MOUNTAINS AT TIMES. .TONIGHT... SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR. MIN TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 65. MAX HUMIDITY........30 PERCENT. WIND... SLOPES...........WINDS WEST 10 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 20 MPH IN THE EVENING BECOMING DOWNSLOPE 3 TO 5 MPH BY MIDNIGHT. RIDGETOP.........SOUTHWEST 20 MPH. CHC WETTING RAIN....0 PERCENT. LAL.................1. MIXING HEIGHT.......7500 FT AGL... BECOMING 500 FT AGL EARLY IN THE EVENING. MIXING WINDS........SOUTHWEST 15 MPH. .INDEPENDENCE DAY... SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY. SLIGHTLY COOLER. MAX TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 92. MIN HUMIDITY........10 PERCENT. WIND..... SLOPES...........WINDS SOUTHWEST 5 MPH BECOMING WEST 10 MPH DURING THE AFTERNOON. RIDGETOP.........SOUTHWEST 20 MPH. CHC WETTING RAIN....0 PERCENT. LAL.................1. MIXING HEIGHT.......500 FT AGL... BECOMING 3500 FT AGL EARLY IN THE MORNING...THEN...BECOMING 7500 FT AGL LATE IN THE MORNING... BECOMING 9500 FT AGL EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON. MIXING WINDS........SOUTH 10 MPH. .FRIDAY NIGHT... SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR. MIN TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 63. MAX HUMIDITY........35 PERCENT. WIND... SLOPES...........WINDS WEST 10 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 20 MPH IN THE EVENING BECOMING DOWNSLOPE 3 TO 5 MPH BY MIDNIGHT. RIDGETOP.........SOUTHWEST 20 MPH. CHC WETTING RAIN....0 PERCENT. LAL.................1. MIXING HEIGHT.......7500 FT AGL... BECOMING 500 FT AGL EARLY IN THE EVENING. MIXING WINDS........SOUTHWEST 15 MPH.

I have a spot weather forecast, where do I send it too? Number provided to Dispatch

As of 1645: Ridge (CA-BDF-00134) Fire started at 1334 hrs. this afternoon 2 miles NE of Yucaipa and 2.8 miles ENE of the intersection of Hwy 38 and Bryant St. in heavy brush and moving towards Yucaipa Ridge. Temperatures during initial attack were in the low 100's, RH's around 15% with Westerly winds 8-10mph with gusts up to 15mph. The fire rapidly spread to 50 acres within 30 minutes of the start. By 1635 hrs. fire was burning at a medium rate of spread uphill in heavy brush to an approximate size of 200 acres.

eng52 in service moving up to cover 56.

NBC 5:00 news is unofficially reporting that this fire may have been started accidentially by a homeowner doing brush clearance with a tractor. Also adding that from their helicopter vantage point the fire has laid down and there is not a great deal of open flame at this time.

2 sups are immediate need; 3 more are for tomorrow

confirming the two division supps are in addition to what you ordered? affirm, the first two for immediate, the other 3 for tommorrow

at staging area 38th and bryant.

Strike team 9317G in staging area

Air Attack to 76 - "We got your numbers in the window." {Transcriber note - likely this is literally written on the window.}

Tanker 76 coming out of the Fox area

request spot weather forecast at Mill Creek weather station for 18:00 and 06:00 tomorrow.

is there still a structure threat; {IC reply} affirmative, we still have structure threat to three scattered ranches

WT271 {transcriber note: from Arrowbear} is in the area

We have Tankers 71, 73, 70, 11, H301 Air Bravo, Bravo 5 and AA330

H330 do you have communication with Lead Bravo 5; {reply} affirmative

East Bound Ivy, Juniper, and Azurite(?) are closed to residents only

Tanker 111 is about 2.5 minutes out

John Miller, USFS: Fire is at 250 acres at this time, no immediate threat to Mtn Home Village. Burning up to an area where there was a fire two years ago.

Approximately 250 acres now

Air to air - 169.1500 - I said no to 910 so far, do you concur?

{Freq 169.1500} Got another spot inside by the road; lower side down by the road

Re: CA-BDF-Ridge Sounds like Tac is on NIFCTAC1, fire has a pretty good wind on it 10-25 from the west, and burning in heavy chapparal with limited access. Looks like its about to get into a big chimney, with a large saddle atop, not to mention the south facing slope, 99 degrees, and 16%RH.

We're gonna take it right along the fires edge, right about...here. There's a little puffer of smoke right there.

We've got 301 on the drop; get in there prior to that first open space. (After drop)"That's beautiful."

At 03:29 PM, linda92339 wrote: "Came up from Yucaipa along Bryant ~30 mins ago, flames very visible from Bryant and 38, burning straight up that ridge, smoke blowing towards AO/BB. Fire personnel were on Bryant, CHP/sherriff just arriving. 38 is open for now. ..." READ MORE: News > Local Mountain Fires > Ridge Fire

Request 2 division supervisors; immediate need; recommended source will be Riverside or BDU

{freq 169.1500} 301 is on this drop right now

Tanker 73 is 7 miles out

Update on the fire - Approx 150 acres, has burned up and above the Jefferson fire two years ago and is starting to run parallel to Yucaipa Ridge along the top.

(Discussion among air units - including TV4/NBC.)

Tanker lifting of SB Base en route

(Ref medical aid call (heat exhaustion to someone on the fire) - patient is being transported to Loma Linda, with an agency rep responding as well.)

it's jumped the retardant line onto the road

We're gonna put you at the head of the fire, on the left, take it down the hill to the other retardant line.

100 to 130 acres

Tanker 70 coming to the Ridge Incident from Ramona, that will make 3 tankers. IC says fire is well established however there is no immediate structure threat.

For the ambulance, it will be at the orgin of the fire, have them go all the way up to the end of Yucaipa Rd.

Requesting an ambulance for a heat exhaustion; report to the corner of Court cross of Yucaipa Rd.

BB Transcriber Note: Phone call from friend in the Village area 5 minutes ago indicating ash was falling in the Big Bear Lake vicinity; Ash is now falling in the Big Bear City area (east of Greenway) as well.

100 acres, no immediate threat to structures at this time; running uphill.

No threat to Mountain Home Village at this time.

All suppression and prevention units extend staffing to 20:00.

Do we have anyone at Morton Peak lookout? (Affirm). (Morton Peak is the lookout in Mill Creek area overlooking Yucapia area)

I'd like to request two additional Type II helicopters, and also a Type I. (Response: We have you in for a divert, you're getting one Type I, but I'll put in for the Type II's.)

BB Transcriber note: Traffic on this incident is very scratchy and intermittent; difficult to unscramble.

100 acres and making a big run up the back side, on the Yucapia side.

In the area, requesting staging area and radio frequency.

Looking down at the fire from the top of Chair 9 (Snow Summit?), browninsh smoke is starting to blow in over the lake here; no immediate threat but we need to keep an eye on things.

It's a few hundred acres and making a major run - so here we go again...

Unknown unit is reporting a late model Ford Focus driving erratically, upbound on Hay 38 - is running license plates.

Also, on your air tankers, you're only gonna get 2.

Edison called - you can use their ponds up on Yucaipa ridge as a water source.

BDF has command; 75-100 acres, well established on the slope up to Yucapia ridge. No immediate threat to homes on the heel of the fire, but apparently there are some 1/4 mile away at the edge of the forest. This is from Forest traffic, I am not on scene yet.

Do you still have a structure threat? (Response: We don't have an immediate structure threat, the closest one is 1/4 mile away). You have two Type I's coming, one from BDF and one from County.

Transcriber Note: Smoke from this incident is now moving northward into the Big Bear Valley, very visible.

Requesting 5 strike teams of type 1's.

Twelve miles out.

We're gonna set the IC up on Fremont cross of Ivy.

BB Transcriber Note: There has been no 'size-up' of this fire at this time; units are still responding in.

Bat 34 is Ridge IC - will be moving the IC post to Jefferson cross of Ivy.

Second eyewitness reporting smoke from this fire is visible in the Big Bear area, over south ridgeline in the Village/Boulder Bay area. (Transcriber note: Fire is not a threat to the valley at this time; info being provided for information only that smoke may be visible.)

Ordering 12 crews, 6 strike teams, 3 structure protection groups.

On scene.

I'm still working on your Type I or II structure engines.

You have a total of two air tankers at this time, do you want additional requests? Copy, I'll put out a {} for four more.

Re: CA-BDF-Ridge Requesting engines immediate need for 2 structures threatened on Yucaipa Ridge Road, Sheriff on scene. Sounds like this one has lots of potential.

Near Mill Creek Road and Bryant Street in the Yucaipa area, burning midslope on Yucaipa Ridge. 4 acres "going good". 2nd alarm on arrival.

1:57PM 1039 DDD OPS 1:50PM LARGE FIRE - SEVERAL MILES AWAY – FOREST SERVICE 97 - WILL ADV OF ROAD CLOSURES 1:46PM CAN SEE SMOKE/FIRE FROM BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN - JEO 330 PER 101-10 1:43PM CT EMP ALSO SEEING SMOKE IN THAT AREA 1:40PM PER RP COULD SEE FLAMES F/RD

More from eyewitness on Hwy 38: Fire is two ridges over from Mill Creek (ranger station?), one more ridge and it will impact Mill Creek. Do not appear to be units on scene at this time. Fire is headed toward Hwy 38 per this RP.

County is in the area trying to establish structure protection

There are two homes on Yucaipa Ridge Rd. that need protection, there is a structure threat, address is 96-- Yucaipa Ridge Rd.

Two homes with an immediate structure threat at 9609 Yucaipa Ridge Road

Phone call from friend on Hwy 38 in Mentone, upbound: Says fire is up on the (Yucaipa Ridge) and "really cranking."

Ridge IC; Ridge Air attack on 169.150; Victor 118.950; Tactics 168.200

increase the air tanker to 6; getting a helicopter out of Rialto

BDF will order aircraft; 40K; well established midslope; going to bump the top of Yucaipa Ridge; start 6 tankers now

assist; in the forest; midslope on the Yucaipa Ridge; FS road 1S09; Tactics 168.200; Command on Forest Net

possible fire on a ridge behind the address of 35900 Leona