Thursday morning, May 22, the Hill was overrun with fire vehicles. Not just Idyllwild Fire and Riverside County Fire, but engines and firefighters from Orange County and local cities such as Banning, Beaumont, Cathedral City, Corona and Indio, as well as nearby tribal units from Pechanga and Morongo reservations. Several county, state and federal agencies, including the Air National Guard, were also vital participants.

The Robin and Wood fires were a drill conducted by Riverside County Fire Department and Cal Fire.

The exercise involved two fires. The first, the Wood Fire, was located in Pine Cove. Air resources were part of the exercise and while flying this fire, they discovered and reported a second ignition near Robin Drive in Idyllwild.

Fire officials began assembling about 6 a.m. at the Mountain Center Café, where RCFD Fire Chief John Hawkins told them, “We play the way we practice. This is unified command so we want to maximize similarities and minimize differences.”

Fire Chief John Wise of Los Angeles City said, “These agencies are working together. The complexity [of a fire incident] doesn’t change whether there are 3,000 people or 100,000, just the number. But it’s the same challenges.”

Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Two Brazilian fire officials, Major Moisés Alves Barcelos (left) and Commandante Alan Alexandre Araujo (right), observed the fire drill. Accompanying the Brazilian fire officials was Art Torrez of the California Emergency Management Agency. In addition, two Los Angeles County fire officials observed the exercise. Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Two Brazilian fire officials, Major Moisés Alves Barcelos (left) and Commandante Alan Alexandre Araujo (right), observed the fire drill. Accompanying the Brazilian fire officials was Art Torrez of the California Emergency Management Agency. In addition, two Los Angeles County fire officials observed the exercise.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Idyllwild Fire Chief Patrick Reitz was part of the unified command during the drill. Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Idyllwild Fire Chief Patrick Reitz was part of the unified command during the drill.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Part of the drill included the report of a down firefighter (left), who had to be found and transported from the fire scene to safety. Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Part of the drill included the report of a down firefighter (left), who had to be found and transported from the fire scene to safety.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Jeff Stone (left) visited the Incident Command Post at Idyllwild Pines Camp. Here he meets with Jay Orr, county executive officer, John Hawkins, county fire chief, and Edwina Scott, executive director of the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council.  Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Jeff Stone (left) visited the Incident Command Post at Idyllwild Pines Camp. Here he meets with Jay Orr, county executive officer, John Hawkins, county fire chief, and Edwina Scott, executive director of the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
California Highway Patrol provided a communications unit. Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
California Highway Patrol provided a communications unit.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Large signs were placed around town to direct engines to the location of the drill. Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Large signs were placed around town to direct engines to the location of the drill.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins (left) talks with County Executive Officer Jay Orr, who observed the drill from start to finish. Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins (left) talks with County Executive Officer Jay Orr, who observed the drill from start to finish.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine.
Kevin Gaines, Riverside County Division Chief at Oak Glen, planned and organized the May 22 fire drill.
Kevin Gaines, Riverside County Division Chief at Oak Glen, planned and organized the May 22 fire drill.