I often get asked, “How did you do during the fire?” and I usually say… “Which fire?” Yes, we have a history of fire on our mountain. In fact, it’s the number one “Act of God” that we fear. Most of you have felt the effect with the cost of your homeowners insurance. But just to remind you how important it is to be prepared, I thought I would review a few of the more devastating fires to our mountain. Here is a link to the Cal-Fire page on what YOU can do to be prepared.

I have lived in Idyllwild for 30 years now, and I have had to evacuate 3 times during those 30 years. The first time was in 1996 for the Bee Canyon Fire. It came up the mountain from the Hemet side and got to within half a mile of Idyllwild. It burned 9,580 acres but not a single structure in Idyllwild. The headline of the Town Crier on the 4th of July 1996 was “We’re Still Here”. The parade that year was nothing but Fire Trucks from all different places that had helped save our town. It was awesome! The fire had been started by someone target shooting.

The Mountain Fire in 2013 started in Mountain Center from faulty electrical on a resident’s pool equipment. It burned 27,581 acres, and yes, we were evacuated for nearly a week until it was under control. It destroyed 43 structures, including 7 homes, but not a single structure in the town of Idyllwild. It burned down the ridges over Garner Valley and even came up over Tahquitz Peak and scorched the Look-out structure at Tahquitz Peak. The cost to battle the blaze cost $25.8 Million. The Mountain Fire is pictured above.

The Cranston Fire in July 2018 started down near the Cranston Ranger station near Hemet and came up the hill. It was started by Arson and that arsonist is serving out 12 years in prison. It burned 13,139 acres and 12 structures were destroyed. It cost 22.6 million to battle. We were evacuated again for this fire and some of those 12 structures were homes on the edge of Idyllwild.

The most emotionally devastating fire to our community was definitely the Esperanza Fire in October of 2006. It starts down near Cabazon and moved up the mountain. It burned 40,200 acres and 34 homes were destroyed, none in Idyllwild. We were not evacuated for this fire, but 5 of our own; the entire crew of Engine 57 including Captain Mark Loutzenheiser, whose wife Maria still resides in Idyllwild, were killed defending houses in the path of this fire. This loss affected the entire community and still does today.

It is so important to do what you can to prepare your property to avoid the hazards of fire, and also to make a plan in case you are called at a moments notice to evacuate the hill. The AM Radio station WINKI Channel 1610 will give you updates if we are ever in a situation you need to be aware of.

Saturday August 3rd
Plein Air Art Event
Multiple locations in Idyllwild
7am – 6pm

Saturday August 3rd
Garden Club Class
“Building an Insect Hotel“
Community Garden
Alderwood & N. Circle
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Today, we’ll build a small insect hotel and offer tips on how to care for them. “Offering a sanctuary to beneficial insects, especially pollinators, insect hotels are considered to be the urban solution to declining population of beneficial insects in human environments due to habitat loss, pollution and abuse of pesticides. Insects provide many benefits to the ecosystem through pollination, nutrient cycle, and also as food source for birds.” (Source: entymologistlounge.com) If you have a portable drill, bring it along. In addition to the $10 class donation, we are asking for a $5 materials fee that can be paid on the day of the class.

Saturday August 3rd.
Pine Cove Property Owners Assoc.
Monthly Meeting
Pine Cove Water District
10 am

Saturday August 3rd
New Moon In Leo Tea & Sound Ceremony
Ark of Light Studio
54445 North Circle
7pm – 9pm

Sunday August 4th
FWB Skate Park Event
Idyllwild Skate Park
26375 Hwy. 243
10 am – 12 Noon
FREE

Sunday August 4th
Fern Valley Emporium BBQ
54965 Pine Crest Ave.
3pm – Close

Bring a side to share & your favorite beverage.

Order by Monday Aug. 12th
Next Food Delivery Thursday Aug. 15th, 2024

MOUNTAIN AID
Need food or other items?
Want to help those who do?
Twice monthly food boxes for every budget.
By ordering a food box, you help pay for those who can’t pay.

Summer Pick-up will be at the Mormon Church on Tollgate
www.MountainAid.net

Tuesday August 6th
FEEDING AMERICA
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
10am – 12pm

Tuesday August 6th
Author Talk
Lane Igoudin
“A Family, Maybe”
Idyllwild Library
5:30 pm

Wednesday August 7th
Adult Program
“Food Talk with Nutritionist Mary Chantler“
Idyllwild Library
5:00 pm

Join us for a fascinating presentation for children about Ice Ages that roamed our area.  Presented by Leya Collins from the Western Science Center.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Idyllwild Library.

Wednesday August 7th
Garden Club Monthly Meeting & Speaker
“Gardening from the Ground Up”
Idyllwild Nature Center
FREE!
12:30 – 2:30

Bob Greenamyer will share recent progress at the Community Garden and offer highlights of one of the Community Garden’s class series, “Gardening From the Ground Up” Finally, the presentation will feature a video, “6 years of Progress in About 3 Minutes. There will be time for questions as well.

Thursday August 8th
REIKI Sound Bath
Jen Savino Gallery
54385 North Circle Drive #106
6pm – 7pm

Your invited to join me to Pause, In-Joy, Reiki Sound Bath Meditation for the Lions Gate Portal 8-8-8. 

Please wear something comfortable, a seated cushion and pillow. 
*Tea will be served. All ages Welcome. 
*Donation Based* 
Please RSVP as seating is limted. 
jensavino@outlook.com 

Saturday August 10th
Memorial for Dick Goldberg
Tahquitz Pines Retreat Auditorium
55251 S. Circle Dr.
10:00 am

Wednesday August 14th
Author Talk
Tim Parks
“The Best Laid Plans”
Idyllwild Library
5:30 pm

Sunday August 25th
Ping Pong Tournament
Town Hall
1:15 – 5:00

Saturday Sept. 14th
Home Tour
Tickets on Sale Now

26890 Hwy. 243
951-659-1122

Body & Soul

Click Here for a list of Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Meditation & Hypnosis in Idyllwild.

The Visitor Center is now open between the public bathrooms and Idyllwild Gardens on Saturdays & Sundays from 10am – 4pm.

If you would like to volunteer to talk to visitors, help them find their way and point them in the direction of “A Good Time” please contact me at hello@GoodMorningIdyllwild.com. Download the Volunteer Application below, fill it out, take a photo with your phone and send it off to hello@GoodMorningIdyllwild.com or drop it off at The Art Dept. on lower Pine Crest.

The New Bathrooms are OPEN!
Next door to the Idyllwild Gardens Nursery – Across the street from the Rustic Theatre.
Open Daily 9am – 5pm

Thank you to Shane & Ashley Stewart for donating the land for these bathrooms and to Stephanie Yost with ICC for her persistence with the County of Riverside to FINALLY get us public bathrooms. Thank you to the County of Riverside and Supervisor Manuel Perez for making this happen. It’s been a LONG time coming! Bathrooms will be locked at night. I’m not sure what time yet.

Hotel Information
Upcoming Weekends
www.IdyLodging.com

All events, venues & programs run by
Idyllwild Community Center

Fit after 50
Free Exercise Class
Town Hall

Mondays
12-pm – 1pm

Tue/Wed/Thur
10am – 11am

Fridays
12-pm – 1pm

Mondays
Tai Chi Classes
10:30 – 11:30 am
Town Hall
$10 per class or $35 a month

FEEDING AMERICA
First Tuesday of each month.

Sunday August 25th
Ping Pong Tournament
Town Hall
1:15 – 5:00

Click Here to go to the
PCT Information Page