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



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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.

Fire was reported around noon from Highway 74 in the forest zone 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. Injuries were reported in relation to the fire, which was zero percent content Wednesday night.

The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but Darren Meyer, California's highway patrol officer, said that a motorist the origin of the "fire" has not been confirmed. fire & # 39; was detained. A light-colored sedan matching the description provided by the witnesses was sighted around 12:30. "

The CHP, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the Hemet Police Department proceeded to proceed. arrest of the driver and the driver was arrested.

No further information on the suspect was disclosed.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for residents of Idyllwild, Mountain Center along McGaug and McCall Park Roads, and the communities of Pine Cove and Fern Valley.

"Leave the area immediately," advised a Twitter post from the USFS. 19659009] 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.

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

The fire also destroyed more than 7,700 Southern California Edison customers in the region. Idyllwild, according to an online break card of SCE. The complete restoration was scheduled for 2 am Thursday

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

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

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