Firecams
We now have firecams up on the website! They can sense fire and automatically alert interested parties.
The two cams at the bottom of this page are the new ones:
Archive for Fire Danger
Disaster Preparedness Checklist
We’re starting to get into our fire season and it’s always a good idea to prepare or freshen up your Go Bag. Talk to family, friends, neighbors and make a plan! Decide where to meet, where to stay, where you are going. If you have pets plan ahead for them as well and have prepared go bags for them. If you do not have a car, make a plan ahead of time. Ask a friend or a neighbor ahead of time, if you can ride off the hill with them. If you have a car, keep 1/2 tank of gas in it at all times. If the power goes out, the stations may not be able to pump gas unless they have a generator and even then they may only be able to take cash payments. Remember, in case of an emergency the number one priority is safety first. Proper advanced preparations can ease the stress of evacuation and help you make sure all the necessities are not left behind or forgotten.
Prescribed Burn
Fire Personnel to Implement the Thomas Mt. Prescribed Fire Project starting June 10
The San Jacinto Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest plans to conduct a prescribed fire on Thomas Mountain, starting June 10.
The operation is planned to last from seven to 10 days. The district intends to complete approximately 2,500 acres; the district prescribed burned 2,500 acres on Thomas Mt., in the summer of 2023.
Road closures will include Thomas Mountain Road 6S13 to 6S15 (Forest Service roads) and Rouse Ridge Road 5S15 (Forest Service road), which already has a closure. There will also be a closure of Forest Service yellow post sites (camping sites) on Thomas Mountain. The Ramona Trail 3E26 will also be closed. These closures will be implemented for the safety of the public and fire personnel. Personnel will be driving large vehicles while conducting the burn and patrolling the area.
Smoke and flames will be visible during the day and night. Staff and resources will be stationed overnight.
The Thomas Mountain Prescribed Fire project is located immediately west of State Route 74 and the community of Thomas Mountain. It is south of Lake Hemet. Other communities in the vicinity include Idyllwild, Garner Valley, Mountain Center, Pine Cove, Anza, the Santa Rosa Tribe Reservation, the Cahuilla Tribe Reservation and the Ramona Band of Cahuilla Tribe Reservation.
See the full news release at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1177296&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3Yj6KFKQLk_okrfzv5W1xt0uR0zUel6xhLym45JC6BV1EkT4kxCyCFuB4_aem_AfrXivwm-2IAIcE-ERSupALgYyf-o8aNwc70n04Z1VL3Q7TqcKHjf4wsVVQJL1_sbm4PwjYYa1LGbL40Sn8ZHTXB
Do you have fresh batteries?
When was the last time you updated the batteries in your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, etc.? We are heading into fire season and if you haven’t done so, now is the time.
Stay safe.
~Jennifer
October Billing
October billing went out this week. If you get emailed bills, you should’ve already received yours.
This months mailed billing includes a notice from Cal Fire regarding Wildfire Actions and Low cost Retrofitting and Defensible Space. In case you don’t get the paper mailing, I’ve attached those items here.
Water bills are mailed around the 1st of the Billing Month (even months). All bills are due and payable by the 1st of the following month (odd months). Any bill not paid by the due date will be termed delinquent and subject to a $15.00 late fee and/or termination. If shut off, a reconnect fee of $75.00 will be charged, in addition to current amount due, to re-establish service.
There are several ways to pay your bill.
ACH Auto Draft is a free service; the payment is automatically taken out of your bank account. (filled out form required).
You can log on to your account online, and pay with a Visa/Mastercard/Discover, or E-check. To register your account online, you will need your account number, and the Municipality Code which is PineCoveWDCA. Go to www.pcwd.org and click the “Billing” tab and the Payment option link. Next, click on the www.ub-pay.com link and register your account from there.
You can come into the office and pay by check, cash, or card. One person at a time with a mask.
Drop payments thru the slot on the front door or mail a check or money order.
Please note that there is a convenience fee of $3.00 per hundred dollars charged if using a credit card.
US Forest Services in Riverside County
Just a quick update that I received from Jon King and his San Jacinto Trail Report. Want to see the full report? Click here and give him a follow.
Full fire restrictions are in place on Forest Service lands, as described here. All campfires anywhere in the San Jacinto mountains, including at all USFS campgrounds and yellow post sites, are now prohibited. The total fire ban has finally been extended to Riverside County lands starting 23rd August, including for example the Hurkey Creek campground (thanks to Dan Roberts for updates on the county situation).
The U.S. Forest Service ranger station in Idyllwild remains closed due to USFS coronavirus protocols. Apparently it is unlikely to reopen before October, but possibly much later. Hiking and camping permits are nevertheless required for USFS lands, and should be available at the kiosk outside the ranger station. The State Park ranger station reopened about six months ago.
WEATHER A few days of temperatures around (or even below!) seasonal for the first time in two months came to an end early this week. Daytime high temperatures will again be above average for August starting Wednesday 25th, with overnight low temperatures in particular being well above seasonal, before cooling again to about average in the first couple of days of September. As mentioned above, monsoonal rains are a possibility from 29th August to at least 2nd September. Fire risk remains severe.
Do you have your Emergency Kit ready?
We’re starting to get into our fire season and it’s always a good idea to prepare or freshen up your Go Bag. Now is the time to make sure any non-perishable foods are up to date, fresh water replaces last year’s water, chargers are charged, and more in case of an emergency. I have 1 bag by the front door and 1 in my truck.
Build an Emergency Evacuation Kit Including:
- Jugs of Water for washing / cooking
- Bottled Water for drinking
- Non-perishable food
- Copies of prescription medications
- Cell Phone chargers
- Bedding including sleeping bags & pillows
- Extra change of clothes
- Battery operated radio
- Extra batteries
- Flashlight
- First-aid kit
- Copies of important documents (like your drivers license, SS card, proof of residency, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, etc.)
- Pre-pack non-replaceable, personal items that you can quickly move to a vehicle if you are instructed to evacuate
- Physical list of important phone numbers (in case your electronics aren’t charged)
Talk to your family, friends, neighbors and make a plan! Decide where to meet, where to stay, where you are going. If you have pets plan ahead for them as well and have prepared go bags for them. If you do not have a car, make a plan ahead of time… ask a friend or a neighbor ahead of time, if you can ride off the hill with them. If you have a car, keep 1/2 tank of gas in it at all times. If the power goes out, the stations may not be able to pump gas unless they have a generator and even then they may only be able to take cash payments. Remember, in case of an emergency the number one priority is safety first. Proper advanced preparations can ease the stress of evacuation and help you make sure all the necessities are not left behind or forgotten.
Posted in: Community, Earthquakes, Emergencies, Fire, Fire Danger
Leave a Comment (0) →Preparing for an Emergency or Evacuation
PRE-EVACUATION PREPARATION STEPS
Recent natural disasters can inspire awareness and the importance of emergency preparedness. In our neighborhood the threat of a wildfire is real and one could start at any moment. Fire can move fast and unpredictably. Preparing for an evacuation should begin before there is any danger. Everyone should have individual and family evacuation plans in place. Emergency planning may be different for every family but there are common necessities and planning should include all members of the family. If your household is under voluntary or potential evacuations, begin to prepare your home and get ready to leave.
Assemble an emergency supply kit
Having supplies for each member of your household is an important step for evacuation preparation. Cal Fire recommends having a three-day supply non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person. Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses, a seven-day supply of medications and copies of important documents are also important to pack
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Place papers in sealed, waterproof plastic
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Store in a durable, sealed box. (A portable,fireproof and waterproof box or waterproof backpack is recommended.)
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Store box/backpack at home in a secure, easily accessible location.
If you must evacuate:
• Grab box and take with you.
• Keep the box with you at all times.
• Do not leave box unattended in your car.
What to include in your Grab & Go box
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Copies of important documents: Birth Certificates, Drivers licenses, passports, House Deeds and Titles, Birth, death, adoption, and marriage certificates,Wills and/or trust documents and other irreplaceable document.
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First two pages of previous year’s federal and state income tax returns
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Cash or traveler’s checks for several days living expenses.
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Back-up copies of computerized financial records
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Emergency phone numbers
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Employee-benefit documents.
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Copies of important health record and prescriptions: Copies of health, dental, and/or prescription insurance cards or numbers.
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Copies of children’s immunization records.
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Copies of auto, flood, renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policies (at least policy numbers).
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Home inventory. (document and take pictures of properties and possessions)
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Any sentimental jewelry or photos (flash drive or CD is best)
Inside the House
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Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked.
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Remove flammable window shades, curtains and close metal shutters.
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Remove lightweight curtains.
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Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.
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Shut off gas at the meter; turn off pilot lights.
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Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.
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Shut off the air conditioning.
Outside
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Gather up flammable items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, etc.) or place them in your pool.
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Turn off propane tanks.
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Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures.
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Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water buckets and place them around the house.
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Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running, they can affect critical water pressure.
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Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night.
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Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle.
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Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you.
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Have a ladder available and place it at the corner of the house for firefighters to quickly access your roof.
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Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.
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Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation. Don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel threatened.
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Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.
Animals
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Locate your pets and keep them nearby.
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Prepare farm animals for transport and think about moving them to a safe location early.
In the event of emergency Remember safety first. If you are well prepared in advance the evacuation process can be less stressful and scary.
Weather
Last week we had quite the wild weather! The thunder and lightening storm on Thursday afternoon was pretty intense. The thunder was so close and so loud it sounded like it was sitting right on top of Pine Cove. The hail was a surprise as well. I actually saw the snow plow go by my house! You just never know what is going to happen here on the mountain. While all moisture is welcome, that was a bit much for the end of May.
This week the forecast is for something much calmer luckily.
Detailed Forecast
- Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 56. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
- Saturday Sunny, with a high near 68.
- Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
- Sunday Sunny, with a high near 64.
- Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
- Monday Sunny, with a high near 69.
- Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
- Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 69.
As we move into the summer season, please be mindful of the extreme fire danger that is ever present. Over Memorial Day weekend, one of our board members spotted 3 different visitors to the hill, flicking cigarette butts out of their car windows. It will only take one to light a forest fire. Please remind all your guests who visit you here on the hill, to be mindful as well. And be sure to do your fire abatement around your mountain home and property. It is important that everyone comply with this because if you don’t, you can put not only yourself in danger, but your neighbors and the whole hill as well.
Posted in: Fire, Fire Abatement, Fire Danger, From the Office
Leave a Comment (0) →Wild, Windy Weather
Hold on to your hats! We are under a high wind warning until 4 p.m. this afternoon. There is also a red flag warning until 8 p.m. tonight.
* WINDS…AREAS OF EAST WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH…WITH GUSTS UP TO 65
MPH. ISOLATED GUSTS UP TO 85 MPH ON WIND PRONE SLOPES.
WIND…AREAS OF EAST TO NORTHEAST WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH…WITH
GUSTS TO 65 MPH. ISOLATED GUSTS TO 85 MPH. WINDS STRONGEST ALONG
THE COASTAL MOUNTAIN SLOPES AND IN THE INLAND VALLEYS.
Hopefully, there will be no ill effects from all this wind. Batten down your hatches and hope for the best!
