The beginning of the Cranston Fire. Photo by Pat Boss
The Cranston Fire was reported about 1 p.m. It has burned about 20 acres near the Forest Service’s Cranston Station and is about 50 percent contained, according to Carol Underhill, the Forest Service information officer. The cause is under investigation
Highway 74 is closed to all traffic from Marshall on the west to Highway 243 on the east in Mountain Center. The highway is expected to be closed until approximately 7:00 pm according to Cal Trans. Motorists can call 1-800-427-ROAD (7623)
Helicopters battled the Cranston Fire on Highway 74 allegedly started by arson. The highway was closed from Mountain Center to Valle Vista for most of the afternoon on Sunday while fire personnel worked to get the fire under control. Photo by Jenny Kirchner
to get updated road conditions.
More photos (all by Jenny Kirchner) of the firefighters combating the blaze.
Helicopter dropping water on the Cranston Fire. Photo by Jenny KrichnerHelicopters drew water every few minutes as the relentlessly battle the Cranston Fire on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Jenny KirchnerThrough the thick smoke, ground crews and helicopters contain the Cranston Fire. Photo by Jenny KirchnerOne member of the ground crew uses a fire hose to douse areas of the charred hillside. Photo by Jenny KirchnerHigh up a hill off Highway 74, ground crews work at clearing fuels while helicopters put out fires and hot spots. Photo by Jenny Kirchner
At its Dec. 21, 2016, meeting, the Idyllwild Water District Board of Directors appointed John “Jack” Hoagland of Temecula, as its interim general manager. He replaced former General Manager Tom Lynch, who unexpectedly resigned in early September. The Town Crier interviewed Hoagland last week. Career Since he graduated from college and graduate school, Hoagland’s career…
The Bonita Fire is being investigated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The cause of the fire has not been released.Firefighters responded to a wildland fire Friday, Jan. 15 at 1:16 a.m. at the 28000 block of Bonita Vista Drive in Apple Canyon (between Mountain Center and Garner Valley). The fire grew to a total…
Editor’s note: Each year, the Town Crier reports the information below for the three local water districts — Fern Valley, Idyllwild and Pine Cove — and the Idyllwild Fire Protection. IWD information will appear next week, followed by PCWD and IFPD. Each district provides the information to the state Controller General who posts it on…
Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading killers in California for children ages 14 and under, with unrestrained or improperly restrained children being the number one contributing factor. To help parents know if their child’s safety seat is safe, the local CHP office in Beaumont gives free inspections by appointment. It also gives information…
By JP Crumrine News Editor Cal Trans has announced plans for road work and maintenance over the next two weeks. This work will result in some lane closures and cautious driving. Paving will take place on both northbound and southbound Highway 371 from Highway 74 to Kirby Road, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.,…
The statistics cited at the recent Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce meeting showed a decline in business members, in number of serving directors and cash on hand from previous highs in 2011. Cash, now at $800, is a quarter of the October 2011 amount of $3,200. The number of directors will fall from a high of…