200+ Rescued From Big Bear Area Climate Change Conference Amid Snow

FAWNSKIN, CA — San Bernardino County firefighters rescued nearly 40 stranded climate action conference attendees and assisted over 200 more, all stranded on Big Bear mountain during last week's snowstorm, officials say.

Thursday morning, about 300 people left the camp on busses stuck in the snow as a winter storm slammed the San Bernardino mountains. Thirty-eight people who stayed behind were forced to slog through deepening snow to reach firefighters for assistance. According to Captain Anthony Muscarello, who shared a video report of the incident, all were forced to leave YMCA's Camp Whittle regardless of weather, as there were no provisions left after the conference.

"They were snowed in, without any food," Muscarello said.

Firefighters packed the wayward travelers into the trucks and took them to the station to warm up while firefighters and bus drivers worked out a way to get down the mountain.

“Within a few minutes, we had a couple hundred people standing in a blizzard in front of our station, waiting to get on these buses that were getting stuck and didn’t know the best way to get down,” he said.

Department spokesperson Ryan Beckers said the busses were "stuck in the snow for hours." Firefighters told the YMCA to send the stranded people down the roadway, as it would reduce time to get to everyone before dark.

All of the weary travelers were accounted for, and no one was injured, according to Beckers.

The Press-Enterprise reported that after leaving the mountains, at least one of the busses became stuck again on Highway 18, and many passengers reached out to find other rides. Muscarello told the PE that many bus companies that drive up there are not experienced with driving in mountain snow.

"Many don't have enough chains for all the bus tires," he said. "That all adds up to a lot of factors that can be a big problem and create disaster, putting people at risk with no shelter and no place to go."

The San Bernardino County Fire Department currently has a fleet of Snow Cats and other vehicles for winter weather at each of their Wrightwood, Twin Peaks, Lake Arrowhead and Fawnskin stations.

"The department's fire engines in these areas boast 4x4 capabilities, and ambulances also carry snow chains," Beckers said. "County Fire reminds drivers to use snow chains, and to have fresh water and supplies ready in case your vehicle becomes stranded."