In 2018, Fern Valley Water District customers will see higher water bills. After the public hearing Friday, Dec. 29, FVWD directors unanimously approved the proposed increase for the basic charge and rate changes. Nearly 20 people attended the hearing and most raised questions about the need for an increase, ways to reduce expenses or simply…

Cal Fire will conduct a prescribed burn in Idyllwild this week. About 125 piles of brush and slash will be burned, located at Camp Maranatha at 54162 Maranatha Drive. The area is between the camp and the Idyllwild Nature Center, according to Division Chief Bill Weiser. The burn will be between Tuesday, Feb. 2, and…

A native Idyllwild firefighter died Sunday night along with two others in a helicopter that collided with another helicopter in Cabazon while responding to a wildfire. Cal Fire Assistant Chief Josh Bischof was riding with Capt. Tim Rodriguez and a contract helicopter pilot when their helicopter collided with another helicopter carrying two people. The other…

Travel along highways 74 and 243 has increased since stay-at-home restrictions have loosened up. However, expect delays traveling both highways, up to 20-30 minutes.  “Culvert work continues on State Route 74 and State Route 243,” wrote Philip Havins, Caltrans public information officer for maintenance, in an email last week. “The tentative completion date is mid-October 2020. Although, that timeframe…

The outlook for the 2023 summer fire season continues to be cautious but better than 2022. Winter’s rain and snow have greatly improved fuel moisture content. Last week’s cool weather and modest precipitation also delayed the drying of fuels, especially at the higher elevations of the San Jacinto Mountains. Idyllwild and most of the Hill…