Weather — winds, temperatures and precipitation — plays a critical role in fire behavior and predictions. The recent wet and cold winter and spring may have delayed the arrival of the traditional late-spring fire season, but fire agencies are expecting it to begin before June ends. By the end of summer it could develop into…

Idyllwild Fire Chief Patrick Reitz has resigned. Idyllwild Fire Protection District Commission President Jerry Buchanan announced the resignation at the beginning of the commission’s March 26 meeting. “We are sadly short one chief,” Buchanan lamented as the meeting began. “Chief Reitz tendered his resignation effective March 20 for personal reasons.  “I thank him for many,…

Starting Oct. 1, the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council will assume responsibility for the community brush collection sites in Poppet Flats and Pinyon. MCFSC approved the action at its Aug. 12 meeting. Gregg Bratcher, Cal Fire’s division chief forester on the mountain, indicated that the agency will help MCFSC secure grant funds to operate these…

Following recent storms, a woman and her brother were unhoused when a snow-laden tree crushed their trailer. Carla Becker of Royal Pines Estates told the Crier about her introduction to one of the dangers of mountain living. CB: I was in the pop-out and the tree hit my neighbors’ trailer, cut it right in half….