Slow moving on Hwy 74 next two weeks

Idyllwild commuters to Hemet and west might be interested in the following information that Cal Trans just sent.

Cal Trans will be conducting maintenance work on Highway 74 over the next two weeks. On Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Sept 7 to 20, there will be flagging on Hwy. 74 between Cranston Station and State Route 243 (Mountain Center). Cal Trans and Cal Fire will be doing landscape work.

I assume its more likely related to fire abatement than highway beautification, despite Lady Bird’s urging.

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.

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.

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.

New state fire protection fees

Yesterday, the state legislature complied with the November proposition requiring that a fiscal year budget be adopted prior to June 15. The legislature adopted a budget that eliminated a $10 billion gap between revenues and expenses on a simple majority vote, without any Republican support.

More than a billion dollars of taxes and fees were part of the package, including a new $150 fee on property owners with structures within a state responsibility area (SRA).

According to Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins, Idyllwild and Pine Cove are within a SRA. The legislation defines a structure as “building used or intended to be used for human habitation.” a mobile home or manufactured home specifically qualify as structures. Any building that would require no fire protection would be exempt.

The fee will go into effect this fall if Gov. Jerry Brown signs the legislation. He has 12 days to make his decision.

Riverside County Fire collecting storm damage info

Riverside County Fire/OES Seeks Storm Data Information

In an effort to assist Riverside County residents affected by the recent storms, the Office of Emergency Services is gathering storm damage information.

Residents living in the unincorporated areas in Riverside County who sustained storm-related damage to their homes, businesses, and vehicles are urged to report that damage to the Riverside County Office of Emergency Services.

The Riverside County Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services (OES) is the lead Emergency Management agency for the County of Riverside and serves as the liaison between our cities, special districts and other agencies to the State and Federal Governments.

Residents may call 951-955-8440 during normal business hours (Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) to report damages. Damage reports may also be submitted via email to rvceoc@fire.ca.gov.

Please include your name, phone number, address and any damage-related photos.
For more information on flood preparation and flood safety, visit www.rvcfire.org or www.floodcontrol.co.riverside.ca.us.

Fairview Fire

The Fairview Fire was reported about noon today. it is located nortthwest of Bautista Canyon Road.

The first units on scene observed light grasses burning and the area was about 4 acres. During the afternoon, the fire continued to grow, but slowly.

As of 4 p.m., it is 75 acres and contained at 4:45 pm. The size was estimated to be 79 acres. Cal Fire estimates full control will be about 6 p.m.

Seven engines, more than 100 firefighters, two helicoptors and four air tankers have helped fight the fire.

The photograph above and below were taken by Shane Fender.














Doug Yagaloff, of Mountain Harvest Market, took the two photographs below. The fire's location in east Hemet contributed to smoke being seen in the Idyllwild area.

Esperanza Fire USDA OIG investigation

Today, more than three years after the Esperanza Fire of October 2006, the U.S Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General has released its investigation of the fire, the conduct of personnel and circumstances of the deaths of five U.S. Forest Service firefighters — Captain Mark Loutzenhiser, Fire Engine Operator Jess McClean, Assistant Fire Engine Operator Jason McKay and firefighters Daniel Hoover-Najera, and Pablo Cerda.

The OIG conclusion expressed in its transmittal letter to Agricultural Secretary Vilasak and Congression officials simply states "OIG investigative findings are consistent with the primary findings of the Forest Service and Cal Fire as presented in the Serious Accident Investigation Team report [of June 2007]. Our investigation raised no issues related to potential misconduct or unauthorized actions by FS personnel involved in the Esperanza Fire."

I'll have more details from the report and possible reactions later.