Crime & Safety

MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Now Est. 2,400 Acres, Structure Damage Reported, Mandatory Evacs at Bonita Vista, Fleming Ranch, Animal Sanctuary

Reported by Patch Editor Guy McCarthy.

Tuesday Update:  Click here to view all updates on the Mountain Fire from Tuesday, July 16.


Original Monday, July 15, story as follows: 

Update Tuesday 1:55 a.m. 
A fire that started Monday in the Mountain Center area south of Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains had burned an estimated 2,400 acres in heavy timber as of early Tuesday July 16, according to a Forest Service update.

"There have been structures damaged, unknown number or extent of damage," Cal Fire officials said in an update Monday evening.

More than 400 firefighters were assigned to the Mountain Fire, including 47 engine companies, according to the Forest Service. 

The fire was first reported at 1:43 p.m. July 15 near the 243 and the 74 and it was burning trees and other fuel,  Cal Fire spokesman Mark Annas said.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered Monday for the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, in the Bonita Vista community, where about 20 homes were considered threatened, and at Fleming Ranch, where about four homes were considered vulnerable, according to Cal Fire.

Evacuation centers were set up at Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave. in Hemet and at Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road in Anza, according to Cal Fire.

Agencies assigned to fire included the American Red Cross, the California Highway Patrol – Indio, City of Corona Fire, City of Hemet Fire, Idyllwild Fire Protection District, Morongo Fire Department, the Riverside County Fire Office of Emergency Services, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Cal Fire-Riverside County and USFS – San Bernardino. 

Update 9:57 p.m. 
Due to the 1,000-acre fire burning Monday night in the Mountain Center area, an additional evacuation center has been activated at Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road in Anza, Cal Fire officials said at 9:30 p.m. July 15.

Another large and small animal shelter has also been opened at Lake Hemet campground, according to Cal Fire.
Update 9:02 p.m. South Coast Air Quality Management District officials issued a smoke advisory just before 9 p.m. July 15 for the Mountain Fire, specifically for residents of the San Gorgonio Pass, the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley area, and the Coachella Valley:

A brush fire, named the Mountain Fire is burning in the Riverside County Mountains near Idyllwild and Mountain Center. As of 8:00 PM it is estimated to be over 1000 acres with 5 percent containment.

Relatively strong onshore flow near the surface is causing some gusty winds in the mountain area near the fire. The smoke plume aloft is currently moving to the north and east. In addition, ash from the fire is falling in portions of the Coachella Valley.

Smoke and ash may affect areas of the San Jacinto Mountains surrounding the fire and the Coachella Valley.

Some mountain and desert areas of San Bernardino County may also experience transported smoke at times.

Areas directly impacted by smoke and ash may experience air quality in the 
Unhealthy range, or higher.

Depending on fire and weather conditions, the portions of the South Coast Air Basin where smoke impacts and Unhealthy air quality are most likely to occur include:

· Portions of the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Area;

· Portions of the Banning Pass Area;

· Portions of the Coachella Valley.

People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors in any area directly impacted by smoke, air quality district officials warned.
Update 8:09 p.m. 
A large and small animal shelter for anyone seeking refuge from the Mountain Fire has been opened at the San Jacinto Animal Shelter, 581 S. Grand Ave. in San Jacinto, according to Cal Fire.

For more info call (951) 358-7387.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, in the Bonita Vista community, where about 20 homes were considered threatened, and at Fleming Ranch, where about four homes were considered vulnerable, according to Cal Fire.

An evacuation center for people is at Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave. in Hemet, according to Cal Fire.

Update 7:30 p.m. 
The Mountain Fire burning in the Mountain Center area south of Idyllwild was estimated at 1,000 acres just before 7 p.m. Monday July 15, according to Cal Fire.

"There have been structures damaged, unknown number or extent of damage," Cal Fire officials said in an update.

The fire was considered 5 percent contained as of 6:55 p.m. More than 400 firefighters were assigned, including 47 engine companies.

Agencies assigned to fire included the American Red Cross, the California Highway Patrol – Indio, City of Corona Fire, City of Hemet Fire, Idyllwild Fire Protection District, Morongo Fire Department, the Riverside County Fire Office of Emergency Services, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Cal Fire-Riverside County and USFS – San Bernardino.

Update 7:01 p.m. 
More than 400 firefighters were assigned to the Mountain Fire in the Mountain Center area south of Idyllwild, Cal Fire officials said in an update just before 7 p.m.

There were also 10 aircraft assigned to fight the blaze, which grew from five acres initially reported to more than 230 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations in the San Jacinto Mountains community.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, in the Bonita Vista community, where about 20 homes were considered threatened, and at Fleming Ranch, where about four homes were considered vulnerable, according to Cal Fire.

An evacuation center for residents seeking refuge from the Mountain Fire was set up Monday afternoon at Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave. in Hemet, according to Cal Fire.

Just before 5 p.m. July 15, the fire was estimated at 235 acres and it was considered 5 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

Update 6:52 p.m. 
Smoke from the Mountain Fire in the Mountain Center area south of Idyllwild was visible for miles in many directions, a resident of Poppet Flats said after she returned from Banning.

"We can't see the smoke down here in the valley here at Poppet Flats," Poppet Flats resident Mary Tomanelli told Banning-Beaumont Patch in a phone interview at 6:40 p.m. Monday July 15.

"I was down in Banning doing some shopping and I could see the smoke from the Walmart parking lot," Tomanelli said. "It looked all the smoke was blowing east behind San Jacinto Peak.

"I know a couple who live near the wildlife sanctuary," Tomanelli said. "I spoke to a neighbor who spoke to them, and they're keeping a close eye on it but they haven't been asked to leave. They're ready to go if they have to."

Update 6:29 p.m. 
A fire near Mountain Center south of Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains and the more than 200 acres it burned Monday afternoon was estimated "4 miles long east to west" and it threatened a propane tank farm at one point, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Cal Fire officials in Perris said they had no information about the status of the propane tank farm in the Mountain Center area.

As of 6:20 p.m., the fire was still estimated around 235 acres and five percent contained, Mark Annas and Jody Hagemann of Cal Fire said in a phone interview.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, in the Bonita Vista community, where about 20 homes were considered threatened, and at Fleming Ranch, where about four homes were considered vulnerable, as the fire in the Mountain Center area grew to 235 acres, according to Cal Fire.

More than 320 firefighters and 10 aircraft were assigned to the blaze called the Mountain Fire.

Agencies assigned to fire included the American Red Cross, the California Highway Patrol – Indio, City of Corona Fire, City of Hemet Fire , Idyllwild Fire Protection District, Morongo Fire Department, the Riverside County Fire Office Of Emergency Services, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Cal Fire-Riverside County and USFS – San Bernardino.

Update 6:03 p.m. 
The majority of aircraft crews working the Mountain Fire in the Mountain Center area Monday afternoon were refueling and taking on retardant at Hemet Ryan Air Attack Base, but some pilots were using the base at San Bernardino, a base manager in San Bernardino said.

"We have a couple tankers and a couple helicopters working out of here," Bob Will the manager at USFS San Bernardino Tanker Base, told Banning-Beaumont Patch in a phone interview at 5:45 p.m.

Firefighting aircraft were visible and audible Monday afternoon over east Redlands, residents said.

Update 5:27 p.m. 
An evacuation center for residents seeking refuge from the so-called Mountain Fire was set up Monday afternoon at Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave. in Hemet, according to Cal Fire.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, in the Bonita Vista community, where about 20 homes were considered threatened, and at Fleming Ranch, where about four homes were considered vulnerable, as the fire in the Mountain Center area grew to 235 acres, according to Cal Fire.

Just before 5 p.m., the fire was estimated at 235 acres and it was considered 5 percent contained, Jody Hagemann of Cal Fire said in a phone interview.

Personnel assigned included 38 engine companies, four helicopter crews and six tanker plane pilots, according to Cal Fire, who were in unified command with the U.S. Forest Service.

Update 5:15 p.m. 
More than 320 firefighters and 10 aircraft were assigned to a fast-moving fire Monday near Mountain Center in the San Jacinto Mountains south of Idyllwild, where mandatory evacuations were ordered as the blaze grew to more than 200 acres, according to Cal Fire-Riverside County.

The fire was reported at 1:43 p.m. July 15 near the 243 and the 74 and it was burning fuel and trees,  Cal Fire spokesman Mark Annas said.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, in the Bonita Vista community, where about 20 homes were considered threatened, and at Fleming Ranch, where about four homes were considered vulnerable, as a fire in the Mountain Center area grew to 235 acres, according to Cal Fire.

Just before 5 p.m., the fire was estimated at 235 acres and it was considered 5 percent contained, Jody Hagemann of Cal Fire said in a phone interview.

Personnel assigned included 38 engine companies, four helicopter crews and six tanker plane pilots, according to Cal Fire, who were in unified command with the U.S. Forest Service.

Update 5 p.m. 
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, in the Bonita Vista community, where about 20 homes were considered threatened, and at Fleming Ranch, where about four homes were considered vulnerable, as a fire in the Mountain Center area grew to 235 acres, according to Cal Fire.

The fire was considered 5 percent contained, Jody Hagemann of Cal Fire-Riverside County said in a phone interview just before 5 p.m. July 15.

Update 4:47 p.m. 
Voluntary evacuations were upgraded to mandatory orders Monday afternoon as a fire in the Mountain Center area grew to 150 acres.

Mandatory evacuations were taking place at the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, in the Bonita Vista community, where about 20 homes were considered threatened, and at Fleming Ranch, where about four homes were considered vulnerable, according to Cal Fire spokesman Mark Annas.

Update 4:33 p.m. 
A fire in the Mountain Center area has prompted authorities to ask for mandatory evacuations of about 20 homes in the Bonita Vista community and at the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, a Cal Fire spokesman said.

As of 4:15 p.m. the blaze had burned an estimated 100 acres in heavy fuels, according to Mark Annas of Cal Fire-Riverside County.

Update 3:48 p.m. A fire in the Mountain Center area south of Idyllwild had scorched an estimated 50 acres as of 3:30 p.m. Monday and there were road closures on Highway 243 and State Route 74, according to Cal Fire.

More than 300 fire personnel and a contingent of 10 aircraft were assigned to blaze in the San Jacinto Mountains, which was reported at 1:43 p.m. July 15, a Cal Fire spokesman said.

The eastbound 74 was closed at Cranston Guard Station and westbound lanes were open, Marc Annas of Cal Fire said in an update. Highway 243 was closed at Saunders Meadow, Annas said earlier.

No structures were threatened and no evacuations had been requested. The fire was burning in "heavy fuels at a moderate rate," Annas said.

Posted 3:21 p.m.
 More than 300 fire personnel and a contingent of 10 aircraft were assigned Monday afternoon to a fire burning in the Mountain Center area near Highway 243 and State Route 74 in the San Jacinto Mountains, a Cal Fire spokesman said.

The fire was reported at 1:43 p.m. near the 243 and the 74 and it was burning fuel and trees, according to Mark Annas of Cal Fire-Riverside County.

"There are no structures threatened at this time," Annas said in a phone interview at 3:10 p.m. There were also no evacuations in place at that time, according to Cal Fire.

Southbound Highway 243 was closed at Mountain Center and above Keenwild, according to Cal Fire.

An estimated total of 302 firefighters, four helicopter crews and six tanker plane pilots were assigned to fire, according to Cal Fire.

Before 2 p.m., the first arriving units reported "approximately five acres burning in heavy fuels at a moderate rate," Annas said.

Agencies on the fire included CAL FIRE/Riverside, the California Highway Patrol – Indio, City of Hemet Fire, the Idyllwild Fire Protection District, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, and USFS – San Bernardino.


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