Los Angeles, Ca
Mountain High Ski Patrol buildings and gear destroyed in Bridge Fire
The Mountain High Ski Patrol is trying to recover and rebuild after losing two buildings and all of their rescue equipment in the recent Bridge Fire.
The patrol team shared photos of the destruction in an Instagram post on Sept. 18.
“It is almost unreal to see,” wrote the team. “We’ve lost all of our toboggans, lift evac bags, and much much more.”
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One of the team’s beloved buildings before it was lost to the destruction of the Bridge Fire. September 2024. (Mountain High Ski Patrol) -
Flames from the Bridge Fire destroy one of the Mountain High Ski Patrol’s equipment sheds. September 2024. (Mountain High Ski Patrol) -
A crew member on scene following the destruction of an equipment shed. September 2024. (Mountain High Ski Patrol) -
The leftover debris after the Bridge Fire destroyed the patrol team’s equipment shed. September 2024. (Mountain High Ski Patrol)
The team said the fire took two bump shacks at the West resort – one of which held sentimental value and memories for the patrollers.
“The most devastating was REX. Our main bump shack. Where many memories have been made. Where candidates became Ski Patrollers. And where friends became family.”
A GoFundMe was created to help rebuild the team’s equipment inventory and sheds.
One of the destroyed buildings was originally built by a group of patrol volunteers aiding the ski patrol “so they could have a safe and warm place to wait for emergency calls to go out,” said the GoFundMe organizer.
The Bridge Fire has burnt 54,878 acres as of Monday evening and is 79% contained, according to CAL FIRE.
Flames have destroyed at least 81 structures and damaged at least 17 across both Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. There have been five confirmed fire personnel and civilian injuries.