Author: Idyllwild Town Crier

Josh Whitney’s Pacific Slope lumber mill on McCall Park Road in Mountain Center didn’t survive the Cranston Fire but his home did. Photo by Steven King

The one home that burned on McCall Park Road was owned by Mary McDonnell. This photo was taken Saturday morning. Photo by Steven King

All evacuations have been lifted for the Ribbon Fire in the Pinyon Pines/Ribbonwood area after a wildfire broke out sometime after 11 a.m. Thursday. The fire is 200 acres and 60 percent contained as of about 8 a.m. Saturday. Mandatory evacuations are still in place for the Cranston Fire burning around Idyllwild and Mountain Center.

Drumming for rain, by Hill evacuees, for the Hill at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. Photo by Peter Szabadi

Acreage burned: 13,118 Containment: 17 percent Personnel working the fire: 1,319 Engines: 194 Water Tenders: 5 Helicopters: 9 Fixed-wing: 3 Crews: 17 Dozers: 14 Estimated containment date: noon Thursday, Aug. 9 Fire is actively spreading east in Garner Valley outside of the 2013 Mountain Fire footprint. Currently concern is about unburned pockets within the fire’s…

Officials with San Bernardino National Forest announced Friday a forest order creating the Cranston Fire Closure Area. The order temporarily closes all U.S. Forest Service lands within both the San Jacinto Ranger District and Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. The closure is due to hazards presented by the Cranston Fire, as well…

Pamela Jordan, Idyllwild Arts Foundation president and head of school: We are incredibly grateful to the Town Crier for keeping the community informed about important events occurring on our mountain, and especially the coverage you’ve provided in the last several days about the Cranston Fire. We want to provide you with an update about Idyllwild…