Wildfire — Riverside County Mountains, California

2013-07-15 to 2013-07-30 · Riverside County Mountains, California

Wider weather episode

The Mountain Fire started around 1243 PST on July 15, near the junction of Highway 243 and Highway 74. It burned east of Mountain Center, through the Apple Canyon and Bonita Vista areas, and then along the Desert Divide and southern portion of the San Jacinto Wilderness. CAL FIRE Investigators have determined the cause of the Mountain Fire to be an electrical equipment failure on private property. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the Idyllwild and Fern Valley areas, including the San Jacinto State Park Wilderness, Forest Service Wilderness and Forest Service campgrounds. Other evacuations include the Trails End Community at the top of Morris Ranch Road, the Andreas Canyon Club, south of Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, Bonita Vista, Pine Springs and the Zen Mountain Center off Apple Canyon Road. Portions of Highways 74 and 243 were closed in this area. Several trails and campgrounds were closed as well. The Palm Springs Tram was shut down for the duration of the fire. The fire destroyed 3 mobile homes and 3 residences and damaged one other residence in Bonita Vista. In Pine Springs, 1 commercial building, a workshop, garage and cabin were destroyed. In addition, 11 other outbuildings and 4-6 vehicles were destroyed. Any possible injuries are unknown. The fire burned 27,531 acres before being fully contained around 1700 PST on July 30th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 469082. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.