Last week from Monday to Thursday, Aug. 2 to 5, a Caltrans tree crew performed routine maintenance tree trimming on Highway 243. Caltrans Public Affairs Officer Terri Kasinga said the work “provides road clearance, visibility and reduces the weight of the branches. It also provides preparation work for winter months. This type of tree trimming…

Directors of the Fern Valley Water District have begun efforts to recruit a replacement for General Manager Steve Erler, who announced his intention to retire on June 30. At a special meeting, Friday, Feb. 5, the board and the Ad Hoc Hiring Committee discussed its strategy and process for soliciting applicants for its general manager…

Cal Fire still is not talking about the origin and cause of the 2013 Mountain Fire that burned more than 27,000 acres, destroyed three single-family residences, three mobile homes, 12 outbuildings, two RVs and nine other vehicles, and it resulted in thousands evacuating their homes. It has been more than a year since Cal Fire…

At about 1:45 p.m. Monday, July 15, the Mountain Fire began burning near Highway 243. The fire began on the west side of Highway 243 but quickly jumped the road and began blazing through the U.S. Forest Service Keenwild Guard Station grounds. Tuesday afternoon, the fire was burning the wilderness above Garner Valley and working…