Idyllwild residents ordered to evacuate
Around 6,000 people were under evacuation orderstoday as the Mountain Fire — having burgeoned to more than 22,800 acres,with containment at 15 percent — raged in the San Bernardino National Forestnear Idyllwild for a fourth day.
Officials Wednesday night ordered evacuations for the Idyllwild and FernValley areas east of Highway 243 — which includes Forest Service land andMount San Jacinto State Park — and the Trails End community at the north endof Morris Ranch Road near Garner Valley, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Some 4,100 residences in the evacuation zones, plus 100 commercialproperties, are threatened by the blaze, said U.S. Forest Service spokesmanJohn Miller.
The evacuation orders affected about 6,000 people living northwest ofthe fire zone and were prompted in part by a shift of direction in theprevailing winds, said Melody Lardner, a Forest Service spokeswoman.
Pine Cove, Mountain Center, Idyllwild West and Poppet Flats were notaffected by the evacuation orders, which were issued by the Riverside CountySheriff’s Department and the Idyllwild Fire Protection District.
Miller said the most active parts of the fire are near Red Tahquitz Peakabove Idyllwild and near Trails End to the south.
“These two areas will be the focus of today’s firefighting activitiesas both air and ground crews work to slow the rate of spread of the fire,”Miller said.
Highway 243 was closed from Highway 74 to Interstate 10 in Banning, andHighway 74 was closed from Cranston Station in Hemet to Highway 371, accordingto Caltrans.
Smoke and ash, meanwhile, continued to bedevil the region. A smokeadvisory issued by the South Coast Air Quality was in effect today in parts ofthe Coachella Valley, Hemet, the San Jacinto Valley, the Banning Pass area andthe Anza Area.
There also have been evacuations in the Coachella Valley. Evacuationorders were issued for Andreas Canyon Club, an area of 24 homes south of PalmCanyon Drive in an unincorporated area south of Palm Springs on Tuesday night.
“Protecting the community of Idyllwild, Hemet Lake area and PalmSprings remain a high priority and will be the focus of firefighting efforts,”Miller said Wednesday night.
A total of 2,985 personnel, 228 engines, a DC-10 and nine other fixed-wing aircraft, 17 helicopters, 21 water tenders and 15 bulldozers were deployedas of this morning, according to the Forest Service.
Two night-flying aircraft continued to make aerial attacks on the blazeovernight, according to the Forest Service.
The Mountain Fire broke in the vicinity of highways 74 and 243 south ofMountain Center around 1:45 p.m. Monday, the cause undetermined. It hasdestroyed 23 structures, including seven residences on the first day, and wasburning at a “rapid” rate through timber and chaparral in “very steep andrugged terrain,” a Forest Service statement said.
Late Monday afternoon, two dozen area homes were ordered evacuated — 20in the Bonita Vista housing community northeast of Lake Hemet and four atnearby Fleming Ranch — as was the Living Free Animal Sanctuary in BonitaVista.
Camp Ronald McDonald and Camp Joe Sherman were voluntarily evacuatedbecause of health concerns about air quality.
Evacuation centers have been opened at Hamilton High School in Anza andHemet and Beaumont high schools, and evacuation centers for animals were set upat Lake Hemet Campground in Garner Valley and the San Jacinto Animal Center,according to the Forest Service.
The Pacific Crest Trail was closed from Highway 74 to Saddle Junction,and all of the trails connecting to the Pacific Crest Trail in the area wereclosed, as well. Hurkey Creek County Campground and hiking and mountain bikingtrails out of the campground and May Valley were also closed.
Evacuation RoutesHwy 74 into Hemet
Hwy 243 into Banning
Hwy 74 South towards Anza, Palm Desert
Road Closures
Hwy 74 will be closed in Hemet, no up bound traffic will be allowed
HWY 243 will be closed in Banning, no southbound traffic will be allowed
HWY 243 will be closed at Mountain Center
HWY 74 closed at HWY 371
Evacuation Centers
Hamilton High School, Anza
Hemet High School, Hemet
Beaumont High School
This also includes the State Park Wilderness, Forest Service Wilderness, Forest Service Campgrounds.
This evacuation notice does not include the areas of Pine Cove, Mountain Center, and Poppet Flat.
The fire was last reported at 22,800 acres, more than 35 square miles of land, with 15% containment. 23 structures have been destroyed by fire including 7 residences during the first day of the fire.
The total cost of fighting the fire so far is 4.5 Million dollars, according to officials.
4,100 residences and 100 commercial properties are currently threatened by the fire.
Residents were being allowed home to pick up essential items before evacuating.
About 60 homes were already under evacuation orders and seven have been destroyed or damaged by the wildfire that broke out Monday.
The fire grew to more than 22 square miles Wednesday.
The Mountain Fire broke out for unknown reasons in the vicinity of Highways 74 and 243 south of Mountain Center around 1:45 p.m. Monday.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, three residences, three mobile homes, 11 outbuildings, a cabin, commercial building, workshop, garage and four to six vehicles were destroyed and one residence was damaged.
The destroyed residences and mobile homes were in Bonita Springs, as was the damaged residence. The commercial building, workshop, garage and cabin were in Pine Springs.
The fire was burning through timber and chaparral in “very steep and rugged terrain,” the Forest Service reported.
Late Monday afternoon, two dozen area homes were ordered evacuated — 20 in the Bonita Vista housing community northeast of Lake Hemet and four at nearby Fleming Ranch — as was the Living Free Animal Sanctuary in Bonita Vista.
Evacuation centers were opened at Hamilton High School in Anza and Hemet High School, and evacuation centers for animals were set up at Lake Hemet Campground in Garner Valley and the San Jacinto Animal Center, the Forest Service reported.
The Trails End Community at the very top of Morris Ranch Road was put under an immediate Evacuation Notice at 3 p.m Wednesday.
The Pacific Crest Trail was closed from Highway 74 to Saddle Junction, and all of the trails connecting to the Pacific Crest Trail in the area were closed, as well.
The fire transitioned from a wind driven fire to a fuel and topography driven fire. This condition caused a shift in the direction of spread necessitating the evacuation as the fire moved to the west and presented a threat to nearby communities. With vegetation moisture at record lows fire spread was extreme and dangerous.
2,241 firefighters, 98 engines, a DC-10 and nine other fixed-wing aircraft, 15 helicopters, six water tenders and 10 bulldozers were deployed as of Tuesday night, according to the Forest Service.
Valley residents were advised to avoid vigorous outdoor activity and stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Air quality in the area was expected to remain unhealthful for sensitive groups, such as asthma sufferers.
