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

A bush fire that could have been intentionally erected today in the San Bernardino National Forest, burning at least 1,200 acres, destroying at least one house and leading to road closures and evacuations. hundreds of houses in the area.

The Cranston fire was reported around noon near State Highway 74 in the forest area between Hemet and Mountain Center, according to the US Forest Service. The fire was burning "with a rapid spread rate," according to the USFS.

No injuries were reported in connection with the fire, which was zero percent confined on Wednesday afternoon. The cause of the fire was not confirmed, but a California Highway Patrol incident log indicated that one person had been arrested, possibly in connection with a arson attack.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department has not confirmed the arrest. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Idyllwild residents, from the Mountain Center along McGaugh and McCall Park roads and communities in Pine Cove and Fern Valley

"Leave the area immediately," advises a Twitter post from the USFS

At least 110 homes in the south-west of Idyllwild were evacuated, and the authorities indicated that at least 600 other structures were threatened by the fire. Authorities have established 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 brought to the Animal Animal Camp of the San Jacinto Valley at 581 S. Grand Ave.

Closed roads include Highway 74 between Cranston Barracks and Hemet Lake. , as well as state road 243 between the communities of Pine Cove and Mountain Center, where authorities say the flames jumped the highway near Idyllwild Grinding Facility.

The fire also took electricity to more than 7,700 customers. Idyllwild area, according to an online breakdown map 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 force until Thursday morning

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

Copyright City News Service