Flare-up from Mountain Fire burning near Skunk Cabbage Meadows
US Forest service says new fire burning in the mountains above Palm Desert is just a flare-up from the Mountain Fire.
Crews are checking it out, but say it is not threatening any structures. It is in the old burn area, USFS spokesperson says this is not the first flare up since the fire was contained.
The Mountain Fire burned27,531 acres near Mountain Center nearly a month ago, blanketing the Valley in ash and prompting evacuations in Idyllwild and surrounding areas.
We will continue tomonitorthe situation and will bring you updates as more information becomes available.
UPDATE (2:51 p.m.) – TheUSFS just put out this statement on their websiteregarding today’s flare-up:
“A flare-up near Skunk Cabbage Meadows within the fire perimeter is generating a large column of smoke that is visible from the mountain communities.
Additional aircraft and crews are working this flare-up within the fire perimeter.
This area contains considerable timber and will generate smoke until the fire is completely extinguished which may take months.”
UPDATE (1:44 p.m.) – The USFS reiterated to us that this is NOT a new fire. It is a flare-up inside the Mountain Fire burn zone. They tell us three helicopters are working to put out the blaze and will have it doused shortly.
