Fire in Mountain Center darkens Palm Springs ...

[some guy]

Whoa, big header already this morning on the webcams

http://www.mtdiablocam.com/activefires.htm

Toro Pk North


Red Mountain:

[some guy]

The fire is looking way way too active this morning. It's just destroying the high country

Zoom on last night's IR where there's active burning:

[prairiecomm]

I believe that area hasn't burned for 40 years? Someone else asked about it staying on the ground. Prob not a chance - if 40 years is accurate there's too much ladder fuel and too close together.

[prairiecomm]

from the ISP in hemet, green cafe 7:50am 7/19 - today
The fire has moved in a Northerly direction. Some areas of Pine Cove have reported 'charred bark' covering much of their property. There were some aircraft water drops throughout the night, which is rare, so we suspect something is up. Looking at the various fire reporting websites, it appears that the fire has reached the ridge of peak Red Tahquitz. On the bright side, after talking with a couple of sheriffs last night, they reported that things were looking good for Idyllwild. Taking a look around this morning, the smoke situation is much improved in and around Idyllwild but in the areas where there is smoke, it seems a much darker brown. I could find no stores open as of around 7:00 AM this morning, just a lot of media types lumbering around. Still quite a few large aircraft flying overhead and heading towards the fire. There are now over 3,300 fire personnel working on this fire. The fire has NOT broken over the main ridge for the Idyllwild / Fern Valley areas. Winds are slight this morning in Idyllwild while the moisture level in the air, as expected, has increased. Barometric pressure is decreasing, so some sort of weather cell is approaching. Per the weather forecast, there is a small chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds in the afternoon

[SEH_Dad]

Looking at this image, it's hard to not think that the fire is headed straight for Round Valley and the summit. The old ranger station in Round Valley and the shelter at the summit are two structures that come to mind that are worth saving. What a shame this all is. I had plans to hike Devil's Slide in a couple of weeks and camp at Skunk Cabbage with my son.

[OldnSlow]

Just a bit off track, but how will trails be rebuilt after everything has cooled down?

And thank goodness the through hiking season has passed.

[spotfin]

This breaks my heart. I love the desert divide and the trails leading up to it. I feel frustrated and helpless.

[Cy Kaicener]

This is heart breaking

http://cys-hiking-adventures.blogspot.c ... rings.html

http://idyllwildtowncrier.com/2013/07/1 ... e-updates/

[cynthia23]

Don't know how accurate it is or how accurately I'm reading it, but according to ScottMac's googleearth Modis map (he posted the link on page 2 of this thread), there is an outbreak of fire much closer to Idyllwild. If that's accurate, hopefully they will quickly get it under control.

[Cy Kaicener]

Cynthia - I posted a picture of the burned area on my blog

http://cys-hiking-adventures.blogspot.c ... rings.html