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 Idyllwild, according to Zach Behrens, public affairs officer for the San Bernardino National Forest.

The earliest that the burns could begin would be Thursday, Jan. 18. The burns will likely continue next week, as well.

“The decision to begin a burn will be based on the conditions and whether it is safe and appropriate,” he said on Tuesday. “It will depend on whether there is rain or snow on Friday.”

Similar Posts

  • Head-on fatal Anza collision now ‘attempted murder’

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    A previously reported head-on fatal collision in Anza has now been reclassified as “attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon” by the California Highway Patrol and is under further investigation. The Monday, June 8, incident involved two men from Anza, William Gibson, 56, and Steven Rusing, 51. According to the initial CHP report, Gibson…

  • Chamber to deed Town Hall back to Johnson family

    By Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Acknowledging that Town Hall is in need of serious and major rehabilitation, the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce voted to deed the iconic building back to the Johnson family who currently holds a reversionary interest. Gerald Johnson, grandfather of Jay and Steve Johnson, donated the land for Town Hall and helped build it. He later deeded…

  • Remains of missing hiker have been found

    By Reading Time: 3 minutes

    John Sturkie missing since early January A 55-year-old husband and father of four, John Sturkie, has been missing since Jan. 5. His remains appear to have been found. On Monday evening, the Riverside Sheriff’s Department reported, “… human remains believed to be Sturkie’s, pending positive identification by the Coroner’s Bureau, were located and recovered by…

  • Power outage on Hill

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    About 9 a.m., Wednesday, July 27, two Southern California Edison power lines touched inappropriately. A 33-kilovolt line and 12-kilovolt came into contact and caused a substantial outage from the Hill to San Jacinto. The cause was unknown, but possibilities could be wind or lines sagging from the heat. Full power was restored shortly after 10:30…

  • Fire budget cuts not received with acclaim

    By Reading Time: 2 minutes

    In order to find nearly $12 million of saving, Hawkins presented several steps, including imposing a fee for emergency medical services, closing Station 63 in Poppet Flats, and employing more two-person medic squads in place of three-person engines in rural and outlying areas (such as Garner Valley). The immediate response from the supervisors was neither enthusiastic nor complacent toward accepting Hawkins’ proposals. County Executive Jay Orr introduced the presentation and explained its intent. “We see clouds on the horizon and increased communication with the board is needed to have their direction.”

  • Forest Service recognizes volunteers

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    Andy Smith, U.S. Forest Service natural resource manager, presents Steve Schwitters, Jana Desrocher and Tom Clem with an award for keeping the trails of the San Jacinto Mountains clear. Danny Sullivan (left) receives a certificate showing his volunteer hours served with the Forest Service from John Ladley, U.S. Forest Service recreation officer, Saturday afternoon at the Forest Service’s annual volunteer thank you luncheon.