On Aug. 31, Stephen Patrick Medlock, 56, who was arrested and charged with starting the 2013 Silver Fire that burned more than 20,000 acres in Poppet Flats, Twin Pines and throughout Banning, and reportedly caused physical injuries to more than a dozen individuals, including firefighters, was court ordered to a Mental Health Court (MHC) hearing…

The outlook for the 2023 summer fire season continues to be cautious but better than 2022. Winter’s rain and snow have greatly improved fuel moisture content. Last week’s cool weather and modest precipitation also delayed the drying of fuels, especially at the higher elevations of the San Jacinto Mountains. Idyllwild and most of the Hill…

Chief Patrick Reitz, Idyllwild Fire Protection District, confirmed his department responded to reports of a bonfire in Alvin Meadows in back of the Idyllwild Arts campus. Reitz noted a response time of 10:30 pm. Saturday, Aug. 15, the first night of the annual Jazz in the Pines festival on the IA campus — a time…