Caltrans District 8 work on the Hurkey Creek Bridge replacement moves into a second stage with a narrower, one-direction lane on the north side of the project. Work on the south or Lake Hemet side required narrowing the north-side lane slightly. The north-side lane now measures 10 feet, 10 inches. That’s a 130-inch horizontal clearance…

Idyllwild Fire Chief Patrick Reitz told the Idyllwild Fire Protection District commission last week that he plans to ask Riverside County to extend the current fire and medical emergency dispatch contract for another year. While no organizations responded to IFPD’s March Request for Proposal, Reitz said the one-year extension would still allow IFPD to explore…

The Incident Management Team is containing its nemesis, the Mountain Fire. As of Monday evening, July 22, the fire had burned 27,332 acres, but was 85 percent contained. Full containment was expected Wednesday, July 24. Fire officials stressed the larger size was not due to the fire spreading, rather more accurate infrared mapping established the…