Spread of the Radford Fire at Big Bear slows in Southern California

Rain is expected to begin Friday afternoon

9:45 a.m. PDT September 8, 2022

Radford Fire 3-D map
Radford Fire 3-D map, looking west at about 11 p.m. September 7, 2022.

The spread of the Radford Fire just south of Big Bear in Southern California slowed Wednesday night and Thursday morning as the wind slowed to a calm in some areas and the relative humidity rose to 50 to 70 percent depending on the location on the mountain. With the change in the weather, Thursday morning the fire is burning in the understory with only limited torching or uphill runs.

That could change Thursday afternoon as the influence of Hurricane Kay increasingly affects the area. The wind is expected to increase to 14 mph out of the southwest gusting to 22 while the relative humidity drops into the 30s. Winds should be much more subdued overnight but on Friday will increase by 4 p.m. to 25 mph gusting out of the east-southeast up to 39 mph with RH in the 30s and 40s. Beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday the chance of rain jumps to 60 percent with the RH rising to 80 percent. Precipitation amounts through Friday night could be more than 0.6″ of an inch. The rain could continue into Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Radford Fire map
Radford Fire map at about 11 p.m. September 7, 2022.

A mapping flight at around 11 p.m Wednesday found that the Radford Fire had burned about 1,100 acres. The fire, moving uphill to the north, crested the ridge above the two skiing areas and spread down hill toward Big Bear a short distance between the two areas.

 

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

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