Update 8:53 p.m. Significant rain fell on the Mountain Fire burned area Monday, unleashing flash floods that impacted driving conditions, and there was a threat of more thunderstorms and flooding Monday night, according to incident commanders.
The 27,332-acre burned area, covering more than 42 square miles, was considered 85 percent contained by sundown July 22. There were 1,146 personnel still assigned to the incident.
Earlier Monday, the Riverside County Fire Department issued an evacuation warning for residents of Apple Canyon Road, north of Bonita Vista Road, due to potential for flash flooding in watersheds burned and denuded by the Mountain Fire. The warning was "for residents to voluntary evacuate" if they felt concerned for their safety.
There were 10 miles of line still to be constructed around the burn. Containment of the Mountain Fire burned area was hoped for by Wednesday July 24.
The total estimated cost of dealing with the Mountain Fire and its aftermath was $21.6 million as of Monday evening.
Update 4:51 p.m. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is scheduled to reopen tomorrow, with the first tram up at 10 a.m. July 23, after being closed five days due to smoke from the Mountain Fire.
Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area will remain closed for additional evaluations, Lena Zimmerschied of the tram said in an announcement Monday afternoon.
"We are grateful to the firefighters for their quick response and hard work in getting this fire under control," Rob W. Parkins, tram general manager, said in the statement.
Update 12:19 p.m. A flash flood warning was issued just before noon Monday July 22 for the 42-square-mile Mountain Fire burn area near Idyllwild.
"At 11:24 a.m. . . . thunderstorms were developing over and near the Mountain Fire burn area," a National Weather Service bulletin stated.
"Locations in the warning area include but are not limited to San Jacinto Peak . . . Idyllwild-Pine Cove . . . Idyllwild . . . and the Mountain burn area. . . .
"Watersheds burned in 2013 by the Mountain Fire . . . in Riverside County near Idyllwild . . . Pine Cove and Lake Hemet . . . are particularly susceptible to flash floods and debris flows from this rainstorm," the NWS bulletin stated.
"Locations along drainages within or below any of the burned basins may be impacted by flash floods and debris flows. Residents and motorists in and below recent burned areas should be alert to heavy mud and debris flows which may block roads and culverts.
"Potentially dangerous flooding and property loss could result in areas where runoff is restricted or blocked. Heavy rainfall amounts are likely this afternoon."
The warning was issued through 2:30 p.m. July 22.
Posted 10:47 a.m. Thunderstorms are possible Monday over the Mountain Fire burned area near Idyllwild, which could cause flash flooding and debris flows, so crews will not work some parts of the 42-square-mile burn, according to incident command.
The fire was considered 68 percent contained as of 6 a.m. July 22. There were 15 miles of fire line still to be constructed, according to John Miller of the San Bernardino National Forest.
Expected containment was moved up overnight to Wednesday July 24. The estimated total cost of fighting the Mountain Fire as of Monday morning was $20.1 million.
"Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire perimeter to guard against any potential escape," Miller said. "When conditions permit, crews will continue to construct direct line, mop up and patrol, and engage in suppression repair."
Forest personnel were evaluating burned areas to determine the extent of damage caused by the fire and suppression operations, Miller said.
All evacuations were lifted Sunday. Idyllwild businesses and Lake Hemet Campground were expected to be open Monday, Miller said. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was expected to re-open Tuesday July 23.
Some parts of the San Bernardino National Forest remained closed, as well as the Pacific Crest Trail and connecting trails, and Humber Park below Devil's Slide and Tahquitz Rock.
As of Monday morning there were 1,861 personnel still assigned to the fire, including 57 crews, 87 engines, 2 dozers, and 13 helicopters, Miller said.
The Mountain Fire has destroyed a total of 23 structures, including 7 residences during the first day of the fire, Monday July 15. Ignition of the fire near Highway 243 and SR 74 in Mountain Center was "human caused," according to the Forest Service.
Whether it was accidental or intentional remained under investigation.
For previous Patch coverage of the Mountain Fire click the following links:
RAIN ON MOUNTAIN FIRE, EVACS LIFTED: Morning Storms Bring 1.5 Inches, 70 Pct Chance More Thunderstorms
MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Weather Aids Fire Crews, Blaze Estimated 49 Percent Contained, Cost $18.4M
MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Burns 42 Square Miles, 3,400+ Personnel, Evacuation Warning for Pine Cove
'UNUSUAL FIRE BEHAVIOR': Mountain Fire Incident Commander Discusses Fire Weather, Evac Orders
Palm Desert's Assemblyman Asks Governor to Declare State of Emergency
Mountain Fire Local Impact Map by ESRI of Redlands
MOUNTAIN FIRE: Some Residents Stay, but Most of Idyllwild is 'Ghost Town'
VIDEO: Idyllwild Fire Chief Discusses Evacuations, Mountain Fire Threat
MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Now 19,400 Acres, 4,100 Homes Threatened, Evac Orders for Idyllwild, Fern Valley
Beaumont High School Transformed Into Emergency Shelter for Fire Evacuees
MOUNTAIN FIRE PHOTOS: Property Damage, Watershed Damage, Firefighters, Pilots
MOUNTAIN FIRE: Now 9,000 Acres Burned, 2,200+ Personnel, 21 Structures Destroyed
MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Now Est. 2,400 Acres, Structure Damage Reported, Mandatory Evacs at Bonita Vista, Fleming Ranch, Animal Sanctuary
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