Big Bear Road Conditions

Highway 38 to Big Bear is Closed

Update, Monday Sept 26; Caltrans is pleased to announce that required repairs to State Route 38 are in the final stages today. The highway was damaged as the result of a fuel spill that released approximately 6,000 gallons of gasoline along the south shoulder of the highway on September 19th just north of Angelus Oaks. SR 38 will be open for all traffic before the morning commute at 5:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 27th. It is expected rehabilitation work will continue to occur in the dirt area of the National Forest on the south side of SR 38. Motorists should be aware of the presence of slow moving trucks and possible flagging operations.

The San Bernardino County Health Department has authorized the repopulation of Camp Cedar Falls with a bottled water restriction until drinking water samples return from testing. The Santa Ana Water Resource Board and San Bernardino County Health continue to monitor and test the camp’s water system.

Motorists are advised to slow down and yield to construction workers and vehicles that will be present on and off the roadway.

Friday, September 23; State Route 38 remains closed from Angelus Oaks to Jenks Lake Road West in the San Bernardino Mountains as a result of the traffic collision involving a fuel truck that released 6,000 gallons of gasoline along the south shoulder of the highway. Hazardous material contractor Double Barrel Environmental services has been utilizing heavy equipment and working around the clock to remove the contaminated soil.

Caltrans has an emergency contract in place and a contractor to begin the roadway restoration as soon as the scene is declared free of contaminants. Once the contractor is on scene and estimates can be made, an anticipated reopening date will be determined.

Motorists and visitors traveling to Big Bear and the National Forest need to use State Route 330 which is accessible from Interstate 210 in Highland, or use State Route 18 from either San Bernardino or Lucerne Valley. The Barton Flats recreation area can only be access from Big Bear. At this time, no forest roads, trails or recreations facilities have been closed as a result of the highway closure.

The incident is being managed by the California Highway Patrol under unified command with Caltrans, San Bernardino County Fire Department, and the U.S. Forest Service. The California Department of Fish and Game and the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board agency representatives are on scene assisting with the incident.