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.

Santa Rosa Mtn fire

Veronica Alt shared the attached photo of a fire and smoke near Santa Rosa Mountain in Pinyon.


According to John Miller, deputy public affairs officer for the San Bernardino National Forest, said it is about a quarter of an acre. Although on Forest Service land, the Bureau of Land Management is responsible for managing this fires in this area, according to Dan Felix, San Jacinto Ranger District Fire Chief.

The Forest Service helicopter crew was the first on scene and reported the blaze.

Forest Service shutdown

In the event, the federal government can not avert a shutdown of activities becasue of the lack of authority to spend money, the San Bernardino National Forest and specifically the San Jacinto Ranger District will be affected.

Fire suppression activities will be exemptd from the shutdown, but normal recreation programs will be closed until the government reopens. The following is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture web site:

US Forest Service
April 7, 2011

Contingency Plan for Agency Close Down Procedures

This plan assumes that some Agency activities will continue and are essential to protect life and property and are excepted from close down procedures, such as:

1. Fire Suppression including fire fighters and all necessary equipment costs to protect life and property.

2. Law Enforcement personnel and all necessary equipment costs to protect life and property.

3. Emergency and Natural Disasters Response (i.e., floods)

4. Protection of Federal lands, buildings, waterways, equipment and other property and investments owned by the United States when the suspension of such activities would cause an imminent threat to human life and property. This includes nurseries, insectaries, tree seed labs, and the minimum level of staffing to administer permits and contracts needed for protection of National Forest lands.

5. All contracts in support of cyber security and infrastructure operations to support key positions and essential personnel.

6. Protection of Research studies where lack of continuation measurements or maintenance would destroy or endanger validity of research findings. Includes green houses, growth chambers, etc.

7. Job Corps operations unless directed otherwise by Department of Labor.

8. Collection and Payment activities for previous legal obligations.

9. Excepted positions and support of excepted personnel as needed for close down procedures

10. Emergency and Defense Preparedness

IFPD schedules special closed session, Friday Feb. 25

Idyllwild Fire Protection District

Board of Commissioners

Special Meeting with Closed Session

AGENDA

February 25, 2011

1800 (6:00 pm)

The meeting will be held in the conference/training room of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District

54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA

Call to Order: Please quiet your cell phones and pagers.

Roll Call: Commissioners Capparelli, Riggi, Killingsworth, Stigall, Schelly

Chief Walker and Administrative Assistant Andrewson

Citizens’ Comments:

If you challenge any decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those items you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to this agency at, or prior to, the public meeting.

Special Session Item(s)

• Rescind prior action of February 8, 2011 election of officers for Board of Commissioners
• Election of officers for Board of Commissioners
• Approval minutes of February 8, 2011
• Approval of Resolution 501 – IFPD Compensation Report

Special Session ended at

Non-Board members excused

Closed Session started at

Closed Session Item(s)

· Chief Walker’s evaluation

· ICFA MOU and other salary issues

· Administrative Assistant contract

Closed Session ended at

Announcement of any actions taken during closed session

Return to Special Session at

Meeting Adjourned

Next regular Board meeting is on Tuesday March 8, 2011

Fire Lake Lane

A fire was reported late this afternoon on Lake Lane. Idyllwild Fire Department and Engine 23 from the Riverside County Pine Cove Fire Station responded. IFD was able to "knock the fire down" without injury.


IFD Chief Norm Walker said the fire's cause was hot ashes in a flammable container up against the garage at the intersection of the wooden fence.


Firefighter Adam Rodriguez is hosing down the rear of the house.
The third photo is courtesy of Mike Freitas.

Forest Fire Restrictions

Yesterday, the U.S. Forest Service issued new and tighter fire restrictions for the San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF). Forest officials were spurred to action by the recent high temperatures, which are rapidly reducing vegetative moisture levels.

The current restrictions were effective Monday, July 19 and include the following:

Wood or charcoal fires are permitted only in developed campgrounds, picnic areas and Yellow Post sites on the San Bernardino National Forest;

Campfire permits, which available at your local Ranger Station, are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites; Recreational shooting is limited to designated sites and public shooting ranges operated under special use permit only — except those engaged in legal hunting; An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine. This applies to chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles operated on the National Forest;

Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, buildings and developed recreation sites;

A permit is required for welding or operating any torch device with an open flame or for use of any explosive device; and

Fireworks are always prohibited on the SBNF. Tracer, armor piercing, steel core, and Teflon ammunitions are also prohibited, as is discharging a firearm at any exploding target.

Besides the above specific restrictions SBNF officials advise travelers that they should never park on dry brush or grass.

Structure fire Saturday, March 27

Early Saturday morning, the Idyllwild Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire on Highway 243 between Country Club Drive and Tollgate.

The fire was controlled fairly quickly according to IFD interim Chief Mike Mullhall. And no injuries were incurred. However the structure was severely damaged. The cause is being investigated.

The residents were taken to Idyllwild Fire station where Red Cross volunteers met them and began offering help and alternative places to stay.

According to Mulhall, a smoke detector woke the male resident who got his partner and dogs out of the burning structure.

From the pictures below, one can see that the bedroom, where the fire started, and the roof were completely damaged.

"If this occurred later in the year with lower fuel moisture and different winds, it might have spread quickly," Mulhall warned. The pictures show the fence behind the house which is only a few feet from the rear of the structure and the trees which suffered fire burns too.

















There was still smoke late Saturday morning.

Cottonwood Fire Day 5

GOOOOOOOOD MOORRNNNNNNNNNING IDYLLWILD & all you commuters waiting to retest Highway 74 and rubber neck the burn areas.

The sunrise was more beautiful this morning. The sky is clear, no clouds and no smoke and plenty of traffic.

The Cottonwood Fire is 95 percent contained with little activity last night. Its size remains at 2,409 acres.

To reinforce the view that this fire still a potential danger, the Forest Service is already thinking about all the other SoCal fires, especially the Station Fire where tragedy occurred yesterday and the one in Oak Glen

But just as you thought it was safe to drive the local roads, Cal Trans has begun its work on St. Route 243 (see photo above) south of Idyllwild. From lower Saunders Meadow Road past the turnout toward the entrance to town Drive safely.

As the local deputy ranger told the Integrated Management Team this morning, “The locals like to drive 50 miles per hour and hug your bumper. They drive fast and low.” So be careful and cautious. Fire vehicles will still be on Hwy 74.

Most of today’s work will be mop up and clearing along those highway and control roads. Incident Commander Mike Wakoski described the team’s work. The Task was to put the fire out, the purpose was to protect lives and property and the End Stake was fire suppression and it is occurring.

Team members were told the last camp meal will be Tuesday’s breakfast, but worse, the last shower will be 11 p.m. tonight! No aircraft and a few helicopters, which will mostly shuttle crews to the canyons for some ground work. Patrol the area will be an important task today.

Tomorrow, Fred Espinoza will assume t he Incident Commander post for the final stages of the Cottonwood Fire.

Thanks to all firefighters and Sheriff’s and Highway Patrol and Cal Trans and OES staff who fought stop and suppressed this Fire. Many have said the Cottonwood Fire could have been worse. Idyllwild was fortunate again.

The cost of suppressing and stopping the Cottonwood Fire has reached $1.5 million already.

Cottonwood Fire Day 4

Base Camp this morning.









A car driving west on Highway 74 and no road block, about 6:45 a..m. Sunday, Aug. 30.


10:30 p.m.
The Cottonwood Fire is now 95% contained.

Fire behavior is described as "smoldering in heavy fuels in steep and rocky terrain, coupled with high temperatures and low humidity. The fire is burning in 13-year-old chaparral with a significant dead component. Tomorrow the predicted temperatures are to be slightly lower and relative humidity higher"

8 a.m.
GOOOOOOOOD MOORRNNNNNNNNNING IDYLLWILD and the rest of the world below our alpine hamlet.

The sunrise was beautiful this morning. The sky is clear with no clouds and no smoke. We do have plenty of cattle.

HIGHWAY 74 is OPEN. In case you have doubts, see the photo.

The Cottonwood Fire has been limited to 2,409 acres burned and SoCal Team III has achieved 75 percent containment. Full containment is expected tomorrow, Aug. 31, according to Public Information Officer Marc Peebles. He is with the integrated management team assigned to the Cottonwood Fire.

An important thing to remember: Containment means how much line is around the fire; controlled means how much of the fire is actually out.

However, that statement is quickly changing. Team III is already planning a significant demobilization beginning today. The unified command with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is ending today.

Drivers, as you use Highway 74 to Hemet, please be cautious of fire vehicles. The Cottonwood Fire is not controlled. Some of Team III's biggest concern is the area along the San Jacinto River bottom and preventing the fire from jumping the highway and heading south.

Today’s work will concentrate on mopping up areas and, more importantly, holding the fire lines to prevent any expansion of the fire.

The Station Fire in Los Angeles County is more than 20,000 acres, but according to Incident Meteorologist Rob Balfour, similar weather conditions were experienced here as on the Station Fire.

The initial attack on the Cottonwood did a lot to help prevent further spread.

But the competition for firefighting resources in Southern California is intensifying. Yesterday, Incident Commander Mike Wakoski had four fixed wing aircraft supporting his ground troops. Today, he has no fixed winged and only two helicopters.

Firefighters from Colorado, New Mexico and even Virginia have been shipped to Southern California to help with firefighting. As Waskoski said this morning, Southern California is in a fire siege now and fire season has begun.

Temperatures will be lower today, according to Balfour. Instead of 110º, firefighters will enjoy a balmy 102º in the lower areas and only 92º at higher elevations. But up canyon, winds could reach 20 to 25 mph.

The cost of suppressing and stopping the Cottonwood Fire has reached $1.5 million already.

Yesterday’s flare-up, which delayed the Highway 74 opening, was a 15-acre island of vegetation burning. This was very old vegetation.

“This is steep terrain and it takes a while for hand crews to do the work to establish the fire lines,” said Peebles.

Cottonwood Fire

ATTN Readers, especially FaceBook users:









NO EVACUATION ORDERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. Please remain calm and at home, be prepared, but night time weather and wind will be in our favor.

A fire has broken out about 1 mile east of the Forest Service's Cranston Guard Station. At 9:15 p.m., the fire has burned about 600 acres and spreading northeast moderately and slower than at 6 p.m.

Although the fire is 5% contained, U.S. Forest Service public information officer for the fire, John Miller said, "We do not see a threat to Idyllwild."

Highway 74 is closed from Borco Street in Valle Vista to Mountain Center.

The Forest Service has ordered three strikes teams, air tankers, two dozers and six crews.

The Martin Mars airtanker (top photo), from Lake Elsinore, has been dispatched to help drop water. From the Forest Service operating manual, the Martin Mars operates on the philosophy of “gallons per hour”. Simply stated, this means a direct attack on the fire by dropping the largest possible amount of water or gel in the shortest possible time. It is capable of delivering up to 7,200 gallons of water, foam or gel depending on the fuel load.

Dave Fiorella, San Jacinto Ranger District fire chief, is the incident commander.

As of 7:20 p.m., the Mountain Disaster Preparedness volunteers CERT / Radio Comm are in an active standby status. They have set up a communications center at the fire station with Dorian Paul, MDP’s Communication Director, Communication Liaison. For details of MDP advice, see JP's blog.

Second photo by J.P. Crumrine taken from Idyllwild. Bottom photo by Rachel Welch taken from Hemet.

More pictures can be seen on JP's Blog, thanks to Doris Lombard.

Friday smoke in the air

Smoke in the air Friday morning Aug. 14, according to Cal Fire and IFPD, is from the La Brea fire in Santa Barbara county, 20 miles west of Santa Maria. Cal Fire's web site shows no local incidents.