Community Corner
Mountain Fire Near Idyllwild Threatens Homes
Mandatory evacuation of homes was underway Monday evening for some residents in the Living Free Animal Sanctuary area of Mountain Center near Idyllwild, according to a Cal Fire/Riverside County official.
Tuesday Update: Click here to view all updates on the Mountain Fire from Tuesday, July 16.
Original Monday, July 15, story as follows:
Updated at 10:20 p.m. July 15
More than 400 firefighters—including some from Murrieta—were working to contain a brush fire that broke out Monday afternoon east of Murrieta in Mountain Center, near the mountain town of Idllywild.
Dubbed the Mountain fire, the blaze—which had consumed at least 1,000 acres as of 6:55 p.m. Monday—was reported about 1:45 p.m. in the vicinity of Highways 74 and 243, Mark Annas of the Riverside County Fire Department said.
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Evacuations were ordered later in the afternoon for about 25 homes in the Living Free Animal Sanctuary—20 in the Bonita Vista housing community and four at Fleming Ranch, Annas reported.
Evacuation centers were set up at Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave. in Hemet and at Hamilton High School, 54730 Mitchell Road in Anza. The Hamilton High evacuation center was accepting small pets such as cats and dogs.
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Both animal evacuation sites are accepting large and small animals; the San Jacinto can be reached at 951-358-7387.
About 424 firefighters, eight helicopters, seven air tankers, nine water tenders and six bulldozers were sent to the scene, Annas said.
There have been structures damaged, although it's unknown the number or the extent of damage, Annas reported.
The fire has moved quickly through the area.
"First arriving units reported approximately five acres burning in heavy fuels at a moderate rate," Annas reported earlier.
Eastbound Highway 74 is closed at the USFS Cranston Guard Station; Highway 243 is closed at Saunders Meadow, he added.
According an earlier California Highway Patrol report, the blaze was moving eastward.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The current containment was at 5 percent, according to Annas.
Cooperating agencies included: American Red Cross, CAL FIRE/Riverside, CAL FIRE/San Diego, California Highway Patrol – Indio, City of Corona FD, City of Hemet FD, Idyllwild Fire Protection District, City of Murrieta FD, March ARB, Morongo Fire Department, Palm Springs FD, Pechanga FD, Riverside City FD, Riverside County Fire Department, Riverside County Fire Office Of Emergency Services, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and USFS – San Bernardino.
Check back for updates.
—City News Service and Patch Staff contributed to this report.
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