Except for the facial hair, the differences between the four candidates for the Idyllwild Fire Protection District Commission were subtle and often difficult to detect. At the Aug. 6 forum, candidates Commission President Jeannine Charles-Stigall, Rhonda Andrewson (former administrative assistant), Steve Kunkle (former fire chief from 2005 to 2010) and Nancy Layton (former financial consultant),…
From about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday until Sunday evening, a small fire near Poppet Flats Road grew to more than 20,000 acres becoming the newest fire threat on the Hill …
Following a serious fire within a national forest, the U.S. Forest Service quickly assembled a Burned Area Emergency Response team to assess the fire’s damage and the potential threat to the public and resources. (See the story below for more information about the BAER program.) The Mountain Fire BAER team was assembled and dispatched to…
Kindergarten teacher Rachel Welch has her new students engaged on their first day …
Cal Trans Public Information Officer Joy M. Sepulveda reported that Highway 243 may re-open Saturday, Aug. 17. A subcontractor was to begin repairing the metal beam guardrail Wednesday, Aug. 14, and will be working 12 hours shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Highway 243 is estimated to be open by Saturday. An emergency project…
By J.P. Crumrine News Editor Cal Fire has released the results of its investigation of the Aug. 5 Strong Fire to the Idyllwild Fire Protection District. Once secured, IFPD handed the investigation to Cal Fire. Cal Fire Battlion Chief Julie Hutchison stressed that the agency was not able to determine the actual cause nor rule…
The evacuation order for the community of Silent Valley has been lifted according to a multi-agency press release. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the evacuation order for Silent Valley on the recommendation of all fire agencies. The official lifting of the order will be 2 p.m., today, Aug. 12. However, “The Silent Valley…
Town Hall invited students, family and contributors to its end-of-year potluck Friday afternoon, Aug 9, to celebrate a summer full of fun and learning …
UPDATE 7:15 A.M., Monday, Aug. 12 The Silver Fire news this morning, Aug. 12, is both good and tough. The fire’s size is now estimated to be 20,292 acres and it is 95 percent contained. Another firefighter sustained some injury. Details were not available. Eleven firefighters were hurt to some extent battling this Fire and…
Idyllwild Water District General Manager Terry Lyons has ordered that the district advance to Water Conservation Stage 2, effective Sept. 1. Water conservation in Idyllwild is no longer optional. Specifically, IWD’s Ordinance No. 62 requires users of district water to: Limit irrigation of outdoor plants and gardens to the period between 6 p.m. and 8…
