Idyllwild Under Evacuation Orders as Fire Tops 19,000 Acres

Story updated at 11 p.m.:

The mountain community of Idyllwild has been evacuated because of the Mountain Center brushfire, which U.S. Forestry Service officials say has consumed 19,400 acres and still is only 15 percent contained.

In addition to the town of Idyllwild, all parks and campgrounds in the area are being evacuated, said Riverside County Sheriff's Department officials. The evacuation order includes Idyllwild and Fern Valley east of Highway 243, U.S. Forest Service Campgrounds, the U. S. Forest Service Wilderness, and the Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

The total of personnel fighting the blaze is nearly 3,000, according to USFS officials. Cause of the fire, which has been burning since Monday, is under investigation.

Smoke from the Mountain Center fire is visible from this intersection in Hemet.
(Photo courtesy of Linsey Marie via Facebook)