Repairs to highways 74 and 243 a long-term project It’s hot-pink magenta with a tinge of neon orange. A thick swath of it paints Highway 243 as you drive south from Idyllwild and everything around it, trees, rocks and dirt, climbing the hillside toward AstroCamp and snaking along West Ridge. Several houses on Robin Drive…
The Mountain Center Post Office reopened for business Monday. Mail delivery service has resumed and postal customers in Mountain Center will receive all mail that was held at the San Jacinto Post Office during the Cranston Fire. Blue collection boxes are back in service. “We appreciate our customer’s patience and understanding during the mandatory evacuation…
The Idyllwild Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners has canceled a special meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the station’s board room for lack of a quorum. The special board meeting would have a closed session regarding pending litigation with the district’s attorney.
The following is a press release submitted to the Idyllwild Town Crier by the U.S. Forest Service: SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Officials with San Bernardino National Forest today announced a new forest order, which reduces the size of the Cranston Fire Closure Area. The original orderon July 28 temporarily closed all U.S. Forest Service lands…
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is roving patrols of deputies around the area with a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant, said Deputy Frank James today. The deputies are checking the area for looters of empty vacation homes and helping the community readjust to returning home following mandatory evacuation following the Cranston Fire an arsonist started Wednesday,…
A primary message coming from Sacramento Wednesday, Aug. 1, about one week after the Cranston Fire was lit by an arsonist, was not positive — that living with the constant threat of wildfires in California and throughout the Southwest is the new norm.
Southern California Edison identified 132 poles that were damaged, according to a press release just issued. Of those, 32 were set on Wednesday for a total of 116 poles replaced so far. Helicopters are working with crews on the ground to set the poles. Despite very difficult terrain and severe soil conditions, which requires hand-digging…
The Cranston Fire remains at 18,139 acres and 92 percent contained. The number of personnel on the fire has dropped down to 580. Highway 74 is closed from Hemet to Highway 74 at Lake View Drive (Lake Hemet Market) Highway 243 is closed from lower Saunders Meadow Road south to Highway 74. Residents, business…
The only part of 243 open in Mountain Center is from Hwy. 74 north to Keenwild U.S. Forest Service station. Between Idyllwild and Mountain Center is under hard closure – even to residents, business owners and employees. Residents, business owners and employees in Mountain Center and Apple Canyon, with proof of employment or residency, can…
By Marshall Smith Correspondent Thursday night’s Idyllwild Summer Concert Series performances will be preceded by a ceremonial acknowledgment honoring first responders who fought the Cranston Fires and maintained public order during the fire. Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire, Idyllwild Fire Protection District, Riverside County Fire Department, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and…
