Idyllwild News

The current statewide drought is having broad ramifications. Besides significantly increasing the threat of wildfires, some communities have even endured water shortages. The consequence is increased attention to water sources, particularly groundwater, which is vital to the Hill. Groundwater provides 100 percent of Pine Cove Water District’s water. Idyllwild Water District has rights to Strawberry…

According to a Riverside County Fire press release, a 46-year-old male sustained moderate injuries, including a fractured left leg, after falling about 50 feet while rock climbing at about 2 p.m. Monday. The patient was airlifted by Cal Fire Helicopter 301 to Keenwild Forest Service Station where he was then transported by American Medical Response to a nearby hospital. Riverside County Fire, Idyllwild Fire, Idyllwild Volunteer Fire Company 621, the U.S. Forest Service and AMR were all part of the rescue efforts.

A trial readiness conference has been scheduled for June 18, and a jury trial may begin as soon as Aug. 4, for Steven Taylor Rutherford, 48, of Banning, the man charged with 13 felony counts of arson with enhancements including use of a delayed ignition device. A medical report on Rutherford’s ability to stand trial…

Michael Darrenger Kellner, 20, of Idyllwild, was arrested April 7. The arresting charges included several felonies, but the Riverside County district attorney filed only a misdemeanor charge of stolen property (Penal Code 496 (A)). So the arresting felonies have been dropped, and only the one misdemeanor charge remains on the record. Kellner has pleaded not…

Riverside County Fire/Cal Fire is reporting that an active fire on Camp Pendleton, the Tomahawk Fire may cause residents in the southwest portion of the county to experience drift smoke. Earlier, it reported that the county had no active fires at this time. However, at about 5 p.m. Friday, May 16, firefighters responded to a…

The Riverside County Fire Chiefs Association has organized a major fire exercise on the Hill for Thursday, May 22. “It will offer several challenges to participant agencies,” said Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins. “It will be a rapid response requiring unified command and a communication center, along with resource allocations.” Residents should neither be…

The San Jacinto Mountains’ Community Wildfire Protection Plan was the topic at the May 8 Mountain Emergency Services Committee meeting. “It’s a huge community impact and is not done by the [fire or forest] agencies,” stressed Kathleen Henderson, Riverside County emergency services coordinator for the mountain. Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council Executive Director Edwina Scott…