Power still out for thousands in San Bernardino County mountain communities; highways treacherous

Thousands remained without electricity in San Bernardino Mountain communities Sunday, with emergency firewood supplied for warmth, while highways leading into the area opened but remained treacherous with icy conditions requiring chains for most vehicles.

About 6,000 customers were still without power Sunday morning in mountain communities including Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Twin Peaks, Running Springs and Green Valley Lake, Southern California Edison spokesman Paul Griffo said.

The number of affected customers was down from the 8,000 reported on Saturday, Griffo said. There were as many as 24,600 customers without power on Friday.

Crews were working in snow and ice to restore power, most of which was lost from trees brought down onto power lines by strong winds during a snowstorm that surged through the area Thursday.

The mid-morning temperature in Lake Arrowhead was 42 degrees, warmer already than yesterday’s high of 38.

Authorities reported major San Bernardino County Mountain roadways that had sections closed due to snow and ice — highways 330, 18 and 38, and 2, had opened by mid-morning Sunday.

But chain requirements were still in effect for many areas, and “driving conditions remain treacherous” because of lingering ice, the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station said in a tweet.

The open roads cleared access to ski resorts, including Snow Summit and Bear Mountain in Big Bear Lake and Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood.

Driving conditions remain treacherous due to recent storms in SoCal mountains. R2 chain requirements are still in effect on Hwy. 330, 18 and 38. Even if roads look clear, be alert for ice. Check Caltrans road conditions at https://t.co/wyXFsvgmgF. pic.twitter.com/Efx2pWBTYq

— Big Bear Sheriff (@BigBearSheriff) December 1, 2019

Highway 2 still had on Sunday morning closures for stretches inside Los Angeles County, according to Caltrans’ Check Current Highway Conditions website.

The California Highway Patrol and Caltrans urged driver caution, and tire chains, for anyone venturing into the mountains, including carrying chains in vehicles which may be exempt in most circumstances — those with four-wheel drive and snow tires on all four wheels.

Highway 243 from Banning to Mount San Jacinto communities including Idyllwild in Riverside County was open without restrictions Sunday. On Highway 74 from Hemet to the Riverside County mountain communities, chains were required for most vehicles from Mountain Center to Pinyon Drive.

In the mountain areas without power, Edison purchased four cords of firewood that were distributed Saturday by the San Bernardino County Fire Department in areas of the mountains without power.

More wood had been delivered on Sunday, the department said.

Supplies were limited, and the department urged people to take only what they needed.

Additional cords of wood have been delivered to mnt locations. PCF & CERT members are monitoring locations. Pls take only what is needed to keep you warm throughout the evening, supplies are limited. @SCE is working diligently to restore power. Locations https://t.co/QCaZT5hSml pic.twitter.com/PdH43ktXtG

— SB County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) December 1, 2019