The evacuations ordered as a brush fire rips the house to Idyllwild



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What you need to know

  • The investigators were looking into the possibility that the cause was arson.

  • The fire, east of Hemet, reached 1,200 acres in the afternoon.

  • Highway 74 between the Cranston Fire Station and Hemet Lake and Highway 243 between Pine Cove and Mountain Center were closed.

A bush fire that could have been intentionally erected Wednesday in the San Bernardino National Forest, burning at least 3,000 acres, destroying some homes and leading to road closures and the evacuation of hundreds of homes In the region. The fire was reported around noon from Highway 74 in the forest area between Hemet and Mountain Center, according to the US Forest Service.

The fire was burning "with a rapid rate of spread", according to the USFS. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but the California Road Patrol Officer, Darren Meyer, said that a motorist whose witnesses said he was seen "near the fire". the origin of the fire & # 39; & # 39; was detained. A light-colored sedan matching the description provided by the witnesses was sighted around 12:30 pm "

The CHP, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the Hemet Police Department made a stoppage of the Execution and the driver was arrested.

No further information on the suspect was disclosed.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Idyllwild residents, from the Mountain Center along McGaug and McCall Park roads, and communities in Pine Cove and Fern Valley

"Leave the area immediately". 19659013] At least 110 homes in southwestern Idyllwild were evacuated, and authorities said at least 600 other buildings were threatened by fire

TV reports showed at least some houses in flames.

An evacuation center for residents and campers at Banning High School, 100 W. Westward Ave. Small animals can also be evacuated to Banning High School, while animals of all sizes can be taken to the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus at 581 S. Grand Ave.

#CranstonFire If you are trying to reach the Riverside County Pet Services Department at 951-358-7387, please stay online through their registration to transfer to their line. emergency.

– San Bernardino National Forest (1945-3232) July 26, 2018

Closed roads include National Highway 74 between the Cranston Fire Station and Hemet Lake, and National Highway 243 between the communities of Pine Cove and Mountain Center, where authorities say the flames jumped near the Idyllwild Grinding Facility.

The fire also washed out more than 7,700 southern California customers in the Idyllwild area, according to an SCE online break map. Full restoration was scheduled for 2 am Thursday.

Authorities also issued a smoke alert for the area, advising that winds could bring smoke to various parts of Riverside County, including Coachella Valley, Hinter / San Jacinto Valley, Perris Valley, and Anza. The notice will be in force until Thursday morning.

A fire information call center for the public has also been established at (909) 383-5688.

Copyright City News Service

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