Idyllwild open and back in business after fire threat
The community of Idyllwild is once again open for business, after the U.S. Forest Service lifted evacuation orders for both residents and visitors Sunday night.
Over two-thirds of the Mountain Fire, which threatened the community last week, has been contained.
Highway 243 is completely open, evacuations orders have been lifted and firefighting crews have been scaled back, according to a statement from the Forest Service.
Officials emphasized that the community of Idyllwild was not damaged.
“It’s exactly as it was two weeks ago,” said Lee Beyer, spokesman with the U.S. Forest Service.
While efforts are being scaled back, 1,861 personnel will continue to fight the blaze Monday, Beyer said.
Many of the crews will “mop up” their assigned areas and then be sent home or reassigned to a new incident, Beyer said.
Much of the perimeter that remains to be secured is in “timber areas,” which take more time to clear due to the heavy debris in the area. Rainfall and increased humidity will aid their work, but the chance of flash flooding and debris remains.
More than 27,000 acres were scorched by the flames, which began one week ago, on July 15. Forest closures remain in effect.
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