News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Source of "Fireball" Remains a Mystery (Update 2)

Source of "Fireball" Remains a Mystery (Update 2)

By Michael P. Neufeld
Wednesday, July 2, 2008

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Update 2 — Wednesday 5:29 a.m.

The mystery surrounding the fireball that streaked across the skies yesterday about 10:40 a.m. continues. However, some experts believe it was space junk burning up as it entered the Earth's atmosphere.

Countless reports of the streaking object were reported to authorities in the San Bernardino Mountains. Additional sightings were made as far away as the Nevada state line and Temecula in Riverside County. Reports were also logged in the Hollywood Hills area.

At one point yesterday, Air Attack 12 and 40-King patrolled the mountain region looking for any signs of fire or a downed aircraft. They were unable to locate any signs that the fireball landed in the San Bernardino Mountains.

EDITOR'S NOTE: RIMOFTHEWORLD.net was quoted in the San Bernardino SUN, the Los Angeles TIMES and on KNBC Channel 4, to name a few of the media outlets utilizing our site as a resource.

Update — Tuesday 2:10 p.m.

Authorities were unable to locate any evidence of a plane down in the area of Butler Peak where an emergency locator transmission was heard by an air reconnaissance flight.

The San Bernardino Mountains were checked by Sheriff's Helicopters and an Air Attack plane out of San Bernardino. No signs of fire or anything out of the ordinary were found.

The "fireball" object seen by multiple parties remains a mystery.

Update — Tuesday 12:09 p.m.

San Bernardino Mountains — An emergency locator transmission is being received in the area of Butler Peak that may help explain the fireballs witnessed by numerous mountain residents.

Scanner transmissions report "we're definitely getting a hit on that signal."

The signal was picked up by Air Attack 12 flying over the mountain area to try and locate fire or possibly a downed aircraft.

Original Story — 11:05 a.m.

San Bernardino Mountains — Emergency dispatchers are receiving numerous reports about fireballs striking in several locations in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Officials are currently tracking the reports and have dispatched San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department helicopters to check out where the various fireballs have reportedly landed.

Additional details will be released shortly but reports have been from as far away as Nevada.