As a result of the precipitation last week, and the possibility of some more Friday, the U.S. Forest Service is considering conducting some prescribed burns on the Hill. If a burn is initiated, it is would either be on Thomas Mountain in Garner Valley or along the Pine Cove and West Ridge Fuel breaks in…

The Twin Fire near Twin Pines Road was contained within hours and only burned 5 acres, according the Riverside County Fire Department. Combating the fire resulted in the closure of Highway 243 for several hours Tuesday afternoon. The fire was reported about 12:45 p.m. and was contained by 1:20 p.m. Responding fire departments included federal…

Seven hiking areas in the county have been reopened. Riverside County Fire Chief Shawn Newman announced the reopenings last week. Hiking is now permitted in these areas: • Avery Canyon (Gibbel Road east of State Street in Hemet) • North Mountain and Indian Canyon (San Jacinto area) • Whitewater Canyon (Cabazon, north of Palm Springs)…

More wildfires and greater areas burned is the forecast for the future as climate change continues. Recently, a new study published in the “Environmental Research Letters” expects fire severity to decrease. Fire severity is the extent of change in the local vegetation one year after a major fire. For example, if brushes and shrubs took…