IdyllwildFire Protection District Chief reflects on Cranston Fire in exclusive interview
KESQ & CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner sit down with Idyllwild Fire Protection District Chief Patrick Reitz in an exclusive interview.
“The fire burned out like this and then the wind caught it and shifted it,” Reitz said.
Reitz says it was a team effort between a number of different agencies that likely saved the town.
“The three Cs– Communication, Cooperation, and Coordination– came together in this fire.”
He says that and preventative efforts on the mountain helped crew on the front line as flames grew fast and furious toward the town. Idyllwild was lucky, he says, more homes weren’t burned.
“The potential for loss was very, very great here.”
Although the flames have dissipated, he warns that the threat isn’t over.
“Idyllwild is still here, but at the same time, we live in a fire environment. We should count ourselves still blessed and still lucky that we are still standing.”
Reitz says he wants to remind mountain residents that it is still fire season and with the California drought situation– this may be a new normal.
“Other than some pink on the hillsides, you don’t know that we’ve had a fire that has threatened this community. We have had a fire, this town has been evacuated twice in five years. This time it came too close to be comfortable,” Reitz added.
Reitz said he anticipates a number of after effects to surface in the future. In the event it rains, officials will be keeping an eye on Highway 74 for mudslides. He also says he expects a number of homes to go up for sale here in Idyllwild. He says that for now though, he’s just keeping his mind on re-boosting the local economy, which we know has taken a hit. Reitz is also keeping his on making sure that those who lost everything are taken care of.
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Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
