“We need to protect human life, property and critical natural resources,” San Jacinto District Ranger Arturo Delgado said, explaining the closure of nearly 16,000 acres for the next 12 months. According to Delgado, the area of National Forest Service lands the closure affects is less than 7 percent of NFS lands comprising the San Jacinto…
In 2014, the State Fire Prevention Fee will increase to $152.33 per parcel from the current rate of $150 per parcel. The increase is authorized by section 4212 of the public Resource Code, which states, “On July 1, 2013, and annually thereafter, the board shall adjust the fire prevention fees imposed pursuant to this chapter…
The Idyllwild Fire Protection District Commission established a Finance Committee last week that includes two commissioners, Chief Patrick Reitz and two members of the Idyllwild community. The committee’s responsibility will be to assist the district in preparing and monitoring its budget, and making recommendations on financial issues. As a standing committee, its meetings and activities…
The Mountain Emergency Service Committee (MEMSCOMM) met briefly last week to hear progress of the shake-shingle roof replacement project from Pat Boss and Don Patterson, project managers for the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council. To date, 14 roofs have had the wooden shingles removed and replaced with fire-safe shingles. Another 47 projects are soon to…
Editor’s note: The Nov. 12 Idyllwild Fire Protection District Commission was the last regular meeting for Commissioner Dr. Charles “Chip” Schelly, who chose not to seek re-election. His term ends noon Friday, Dec. 6. At the meeting, he offered some advice, based on his experience since being elected in 2009. The following is a summary…
The U.S. Forest Service has issued a decision approving the continued maintenance of the Strawberry and West Ridge fuelbreaks to the south and west of Idyllwild. On Nov. 8, San Jacinto District Ranger Arturo Delgado signed the decision memorandum. The affected area covers a total of 166 acres on local national forest lands. The Strawberry…
Mountain Disaster Preparedness held its election for its 2014 officers on Nov. 12. Essentially, the current board was returned. “We have some really great people,” said Mike Feyder, who remains president. Susan Weisbart will be the new vice president. She replaced Sherry Edwards who resigned. The other officers are unchanged: Bob Edwards, treasurer; Annamarie Padula,…
Doug Yagaloff, 54, of Palm Springs and former Idyllwild resident, died Wednesday morning, Nov. 13, from kidney cancer. During his time in Idyllwild, Doug was very active in the business community. One of his goals was to expand efforts to attract visitors to the Hill. He was instrumental in creating the Idyllwild Business Roundtable in…
Besides snow, flooding is an imminent danger in the San Jacinto Mountains for the next 24 hours. The National Weather Service has just posted the following forecast for the Hill through tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 23. Flash flood watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. this evening… The flash flood watch continues for a portion of…
Pine Cove Water District directors held a brief meeting Nov. 13 with most of the discussion about this year’s water usage and a possible expansion. The board agreed with General Manager Jerry Holldber’s recommendation to invite Stonewood residents to the January meeting. “We’ll work through what it will take to incorporate [Stonewood] into our system,”…
