Fire in Mountain Center darkens Palm Springs ...

[eric1234]

forecast shows rain later this week http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... ecEWPmbMxA

[cynthia23]

The rain part will be good. The lightning strikes and wind pushing flames toward Idyllwild--not good.

Air quality right now in Coachella Valley is horrific--choking smoke and falling ash.

[Jill G]

About 3 p.m., U.S. Forest Service officials tweeted that residents have been ordered to leave the Trails End community at the north end of Morris Ranch Road. The area is roughly five miles directly east-southeast of Lake Hemet and at the base of Palm View Peak, which overlooks Palm Desert in the Coachella Valley.

More sad news: The first header to the west is billowing black smoke from Apache Peak. The fire moved north up the mountain and is burning into the northwestern San Jacinto Wilderness.

http://blog.pe.com/2013/07/17/mountain- ... wo-fronts/

[cynthia23]

Just in as of 5pm, mandatory evacuation of Idyllwild east of 243.

[Hikin_Jim]

So, basically the majority of Idyllwild.

HJ

[Florian]

Looking very bad from Palm Springs right now. Smoke up to and perhaps beyond Red Tahquitz.

-Florian

[cynthia23]

Mandatory evac. now for all of Idyllwild. My son and all of the Idyllwild Arts Kids are about to board busses to Hemet High School. We're about to go get him. Everyone keep good thoughts for him and the kids, okay? Thanks.

[Hikin_Jim]

Oh, Jeez. Prayers uttered.

HJ

[towbradley]

You have all our prayers....the view from murrieta\ temecula at around 10:00 this morning was frightning. My hope is for everyones safety.

[cynthia23]

Thank you. We're leaving in a few minutes for Hemet. I'll report back when we return ...