MOUNTAIN FIRE: Now 14,200 Acres, 10 Pct Contained, 21 Structures Destroyed

Click here for Wednesday July 17 updates on the Mountain Fire.

Update 8 a.m. The United States Forest Service reports Wednesday morning that the fire near Mountain Center and Idyllwild has burned an estimated 14,200 acres.

According to the latest incident report, the Mountain Fire is still estimated at 10 percent contained.

"It is currently burning east of the Mountain Center and Apple Canyon Areas," the USFS report states.  "It is burning in very steep and rugged terrain in the southern portion of the San Jacinto Wilderness along the Desert Divide and in the Apple Canyon and Bonita Vista Areas."

The fire was first reported two days ago, on July 15, near the junction of Highways 243 and 74.

Highway 243-- which had been closed because of its proximity to the fire-- has been reopened.  Mandatory evacuations remain in place for Camp Ronald McDonald and the Palm Springs-area housing community of Andreas Canyon Club.

As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, the following resources were assigned to the firefighting efforts:

• 2,241 firefighters
• 98 engines
• 15 helicopters
• 10 fixed wing aircraft, including a DC-10
• 73 hand-crews
• 6 water-tenders
• 10 bulldozers

It wasn't immediately clear if any additional structures burned overnight, but the following has been damaged or destroyed by the blaze so far: 

• Bonita Vista - 3 mobile homes and 3 residences were destroyed, 1 residence sustained damage.
• Pine Springs - 1 commercial building, a workshop, garage, and cabin were destroyed.
• Zen Mountain Center - No damages.
• Various Surrounding Areas-  11 outbuildings and 4-6 vehicles destroyed.

"It is important to note that while homes and buildings were destroyed or damaged, firefighters were able to defend and save a larger number of homes," the Forest Service reported.

Tuesday Update 11: 50 a.m.

Mandatory evacuation orders are now in place for a Palm Springs housing community, according to the U.S. Forest Service. 

According to the agency's latest fire update, orders to evacuate are in place for the Andreas Canyon Club-- affecting a total of 24 homes south of Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. 

Update 11:42 a.m. A fire that started Monday in the Mountain Center area south of Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains has now consumed an estimated 8,000 acres, the U.S. Forest Service reports.

The so-called "Mountain Fire," which is burning at a "rapid spread through timber and chapparal" is still only 10 percent contained, according to the latest incident report issued by the agency.

Approximately 650 firefighting personnel remain assigned to the suppression efforts at this time.

The USFS says the fire has "extreme" growth potential.

Posted 10:15 a.m. A fire that started Monday in the Mountain Center area south of Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains had burned an estimated 4,700 acres and it was considered 10 percent contained as of 9 a.m. Tuesday July 16, according to the Forest Service.

Mandatory evacuations were in place for residents in Fleming Ranch, Bonita Vista and Pine Springs Ranch, and there were damaged or destroyed structures in the same area near the end of Apple Canyon Road.

There were 650 fire personnel including 43 engine crews, 10 tanker planes and 6 helicopters assigned to the fire, according to the Forest Service.

The fire was first reported at 1:43 p.m. July 15 near the 243 and the 74 and it grew rapidly from 5 acres to more than a thousand by nightfall Monday.

The fire threat to Idyllwild was considered minimal Tuesday morning, due to the eastern direction winds were carrying the blaze, USFS spokesman Bob Poole said at incident command in Mountain Center.

"The only threat is if the winds shift radically, and that is not in the forecast," Poole said.

Evacuation centers were set up at Hemet High School and Hamilton High School in Anza.

To read Monday coverage of the Mountain Fire click the following link:

MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Now Est. 2,400 Acres, Structure Damage Reported, Mandatory Evacs at Bonita Vista, Fleming Ranch, Animal Sanctuary