IFDP re-schedules August meeting

The Idyllwild Fire Protection District has rescheduled its August commission meeting to 6. p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16. It will still be held in the IFPD conference and training room. The regular monthly meeting would have been Tuesday, Aug. 9.

Smoke from Eagle Fire wafts through Idyllwild

Your senses are not fooling you. The presence of smoke (visual and aromatic) exists in Idyllwild today. But it is emanating from Eagle Fire, burning 7 miles east of Warner Springs. Location and weather conditions are causing smoke to migrate to Southwest Riverside County through the Coachella Valley.

Located on Los Coyotes Indian Reservation near Warner Springs, the fire has burned 4,000 acres and is only 30 percent contained according to the CAL FIRE incident information.

Residents and visitors who are sensitive to smoke may elect to stay indoors, however there is no threat to Southwest Riverside County, Coachella Valley or the desert communities.

Thirty-five engines, air attack and more than 800 fire personnel are combating the blaze.

For further information on the “Eagle” incident, please contact the incident information line at 619-590-3160 and visit the San Diego Cal Fire website at calfiresandiego.blogspot.com.

Future delays driving Hwy 243

Beginning Monday, July 25 through the end of August, CAL TRANS will be do maintenance on Highway 243 from Saunders Meadow Rd to Black Mountain Road.

The maintenance work will occur from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.on days during this period and they estimate delays could be up to 15 minutes due to flagging at various locations.

Pony Fire in Anza contained

About noon, Thursday, July 21, a wildland fire broke out in Anza. The Pony Fire burnt nearly 35 acres, but was contained by 8:30 p.m, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. The Fire was located near the intersection of Howard Road and Pony Trail.

Although local structures were evacuated, the Incident commander has reported that fire damage was limited to the loss of one un-occupied outbuilding.

When the first engine arrived, the fire was about two acres in heavy fuels. Within an hour the fire was about ten acres and expanded to the current 35 acres by 2:45.

The report indicated 18 engines responded and 174 firefighters were already on site. Air attack and tankers were part of the fire fighting force. By 6:30 p.m., the fire containment was sufficient enough that the night curew was limited to one handcrew and one engine.

Pony Fire burns 35 acres in Anza

About noon, a wildland fire broke out in Anza. The Pony Fire covers nearly 35 acres, but is already 50 percent contained acoording to the Riverside County Fire Department. The Fire is located near the intersection of Howard Road and Pony Trail.

Although Local structures were evacuated, the Incident commander has reported that the threat to structures has been mitigated and no losses occurred.

When the first engine arrived, the fire was about two acres in heavy fuels. Within an hour the fire was about ten acres and expanded to the current 35 acres by 2:45.

The report indicated 18 engines responded and 174 firefighters were already on site. Air attack and tankers were part of the fire fighting force.

IFPD schedules special meeting July 1

Idyllwild Fire Protection District
Board of Commissioners
Special Meeting

AGENDA
July 1, 2011

Meeting to be held at the Idyllwild Fire Protection District conference/training room

54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting will be recorded.

Pledge of Allegiance

Citizens’ Comments

Citizens may comment on any matter as contained on the Agenda. Individual citizen’s comments will be contained to five (5) minutes each as timed by a member of the Board or IFPD’s Administrative Assistant.

Optional request to citizens making public comments: You are not legally required to state your name and address, however, it is appreciated.

Special Session Item(s)

• Active Ad HOC Committee – Discussion/vote on modified Idyllwild Career Firefighters Association MOU
• 
  

Motion to adjourn

Meeting Adjourned

Next regularly scheduled meeting will be on July 12, 2011

Highway 243 hard as nails, traffic slow like snails

Thanks to former publisher and editor, but forever a news reporter, Becky Clark, we have photos of the Highway 243, near Banning, covered in nails. Traffic is now limited to one lane while CAL FIRE works to clear and clean the highway.


According to Ms. Clark, Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Ron Esparza, "A truck lost a load of nails near Banning, causing lots of flat tires." He estimates traffic will be impeded at least two hours while clean up proceeds and temperatures exceed 94º.