CABB
Community Advocates
of Big Bear
Who's in Charge?!
Well, it depends where you are!
The Big Bear Valley is divided into multiple jurisdictions for governance, utilities, emergency services, law enforcement, and roads.
Governance
The area south of the lake and west of Division Drive all the way to the dam is mostly all within the boundaries of the incorporated City of Big Bear Lake. The City has a Mayor and City Council, as well as its own budget, codes, ordinances, and taxes it collects (like a higher transient occupancy tax, or TOT, on all short-term rental rooms). The zip code for Big Bear Lake is 92315.
Big Bear City & unincorporated County areas
The area north and south of the lake and east of Division Drive all the way to Hwy 38/Greenspot Rd is generally considered Big Bear City. The zip code for Bear City is 92314, with Sugarloaf (92386), Erwin Lake (92314), Lake Williams (92314), and Baldwin Lake (92314) all comprising their own regions within the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. These areas fall under the governance of District 3 of the County Board of Supervisors, based in San Bernardino.
Fawnskin
Fawnskin is located on the northwest side of the lake, and it also falls under County jurisdiction for governance as an unincorporated community.
The grid lists the utility service providers by area. Abbreviations are as follows:
CSD=Big Bear City Community Services District
BVE=Bear Valley Electric
SWG=Southwest Gas
DWP=Big Bear Lake Department of Water & Power
"Septic" means homes have individual septic tanks, not municipal sewers, which must be occasionally pumped and maintained by the home owners.
"Propane" means homes are connected to their own propane gas tank which must be refilled by ordering from any of a few local companies.
"Optional" means that residents have the option of contracting trash service from that company or disposing of it themselves. In other areas, trash service is paid on the property tax bill or contracted exclusively by one provider.
Law Enforcement & Emergency Services
All "peace officers" can technically enforce laws throughout California. Big Bear has these agencies at work locally:
CA Highway Patrol (CHP) has authority to primarily enforce the CA Vehicle Code on all public roadways but assists wherever law enforcement is needed. The nearest CHP station is in Running Springs.
San Bernardino County Sheriff has authority throughout the County to enforce all laws and offer assistance as needed. The Big Bear Sheriff Station is located on Big Bear Blvd, at Summit Blvd.
US Forest Service (USFS) is a federal agency with jurisdiction over federally-owned lands and patrols them to enforce laws and offer assistance. USFS also responds to fires on federal land and has a District Ranger Station and fire station on the north shore of the lake.
Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) is a CA state agency with jurisdiction over issues regarding fish and wildlife. A warden is assigned to Big Bear.
Big Bear Fire Department (BBFD) is responsible for much of the fire and ambulance service within Big Bear Valley. See map. Active stations are in the City of Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, and Sugarloaf.
CA Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) staffs a fire station in Baldwin Lake and is responsible for residential emergency calls in that area, as well as responding to fires on state responsibility lands in the greater area.
San Bernardino County Fire staffs the fire station in Fawnskin and responds to calls in that area.
Mercy Air Ambulance operated by Air Methods, is stationed at the Big Bear Airport and operates a helicopter for emergency medical transport. There is not currently a separate membership for this service.
Roads
CA Dept of Transportation (CalTrans) has jurisdiction over all state highways. Their QuickMap app has road information, though it is slow to update because of being administered in Sacramento.
City of Big Bear Lake Public Works (Public Works) oversees the roads and streets within the limits of the City of Big Bear Lake. Contact them at (909) 866-7521 to report issues with city streets or damage from snow removal.
San Bernardino County Department of Public Works (County Yard) maintains the county roads in the unincorporated areas of Big Bear. Call (909) 866-2167 to report problems on roads or to request repairs of damage by snow plows.
Updated road conditions: SoCalMountains.com
KHBR933.com 93.3 or 102.5 radio