Cranston Fire Balloons at 3,000 acres, evacuations continue



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UPDATE 6:30 pm: A bush fire that could have been intentionally erected on Wednesday in the San Bernardino National Forest, burning at least 3,000 acres, destroying at least one house and leading to road closures. evacuations of hundreds

The Cranston fire was reported around noon, near Highway 74, in the forest zone between Hemet and Mountain Center, according to the US Forest Service

. "According to the USFS, no injuries were reported in connection with the fire, which was zero percent contained at the end of Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday night, the Forest Service reported that about 500 firefighters were at the scene of the fire, including: [19659005] 55 Engines

  • 8 Crews
  • 9 Dozers
  • 5 Water Calls
  • 1 VLAT
  • 10 Tankers
  • 6 Helicopters
  • 9 Fixed Wings
  • CHP and Hemet officials say at the Patch they helped stop a driver who was wanted in connection with the possible start

    "We received information … that they were looking for a white Honda as a possible fire suspect," Hemet Police Lt Eric Dickson told Patch "We had a detective who found the vehicle shortly after … and stopped him in the Newport Road and Garn area. andt Lane … we were able to stop the driver, contact CalFire and they sent an investigator who took custody of

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

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

    At least 110 homes in the south-west of Idyllwild were evacuated, and authorities said that At least 600 other structures were threatened by the fire. 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 San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus 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 that the flames jumped on 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 advisory 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.

    UPDATE 5:15 pm: The fire burned 1,200 acres, according to the US Forest Service

    UPDATE 15:30: Officials tell Patch that the big fire burning in the mountains near Idyllwild may have been defined intentionally.

    According to PHC officer Darren Meyer, at 12:24 pm – about 25 minutes after the start of the Cranston Fire – the Hemet Police Department, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the CHP helped stop a driver that they had been told to be on the lookout for any involvement in the beginning of the fire "

    Patch contacted the Hemet Police Department for more information and we will provide updates as we learn more.

    PREVIOUS UPDATES: [19659002] IDYLLWILD, CA – A burning bush fire in the mountains south of the San Gorgonio Pass sent a plume of smoke into the Riverside County area on Wednesday. At 2 pm, the fire – nicknamed the Cranston fire – was estimated at 800 acres "with a rapid rate of spread."

    The National Forest Authority San Bernardino Island state that there are mandatory evacuations for Idyllwild.

    "Leave the area immediately," the agency said on Twitter

    Authorities shut down several highways. Highway 74 is closed between the Cranston Fire Hall and Hemet Lake, while Highway 243 is closed between Pine Cove and Mountain Center, according to Rebecca Miller, with the San Bernardino National Forest.

    Approximate location of the Cranston light. Courtesy: United States Forest Service

    Miller tells Patch that the fire was reported for the first time around noon and that it is currently at zero percent. At 1 pm, the fire was estimated at 200 acres – rising to 800 acres in just one hour

    It is not known at this time how many people are affected by the evacuation orders.

    Up to now, there is no word on damage or injury.

    Although ABC7 News reports that the fire may have been deliberately placed and that one was detained for questioning, Miller said that US Forest Service officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. l & # 39; fire.

    Staff from the San Bernardino National Forest, Riverside County Fire Department and Riverside County Sheriff's Department all participate in the incident.

    "Resources continue to arrive," said US Forest Service at 14:00

    Firefighters face three-digit temperatures in the region, which is under an excessive heat warning Wednesday, according to the national weather service.

    ] This is a story of breaking news.

    Images courtesy of: Mark Ritter / City News Service Contributed to this Report

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