Living in Idyllwild Continued from previous page
Surviving … Crime: For emergencies, call 911. For nonemergencies, call Riverside County Sheriff ’s Department, 1-800-950-2444 or 951-776-1099. Disaster aid: In case of a disaster, Hill residents needing help should go to their designated Disaster Assistance Station (see map on pages 2–3). Mountain Disaster Preparedness volunteers operate these stations. Emergency information: In an emergency, such as a wildfire, the Town Crier newspaper gives updates on its website (www.towncrier.com) or social media pages. Radio station WNKI – 1610AM gives updates on conditions during an emergency. Riverside County has an e-alert subscription service that notifies subscribers of emergency situations. Visit www.rivco-ealert.com for more information. Fire: Call 911 to report smoke or fire. Road conditions: Call Caltrans Highway Information Line at 1-800-427-7623 or visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov. Power outages: Call SCE at 1-800-655-4555. Snow: In winter, passing storms dump tons of snow on Idyllwild, sometimes causing panic among the unprepared. Caltrans plows the highways and Riverside County Transportation plows the residential streets. Be prepared to have to shovel snow berms that snowplows create from your driveway or around your vehicle.
Important items to have on hand... A plan for family members to reunite if telephone service is not available. Flashlights and portable radio with spare batteries. Corded telephone that does not require electric power service to operate (“land line”). First aid kit and instructional handbook. Fire extinguishers. Food (canned, dry or dehydrated) for a week to 10 days for all members of the family (including those with special dietary needs). Don’t forget household pets. Water, two quarts per day per person. Water heater and toilet tank (not bowl) can be used as emergency sources. Alternative cooking source, such as a barbecue grill or outdoor stove, with appropriate fuel. Matches, kept in a watertight container. Alternative heat source, such as a wood-burning stove or fireplace, that does not rely on electricity or gas service.
5
Tools, such as a pipe wrench and crescent wrench for turning off gas and water mains. Supplies for hygiene and sanitation, such as plastic bags, premoistened towelettes, toilet paper and soap, and chlorine bleach. Heavy shoes, warm clothing, blankets and work gloves for each member of the household. Alternative housing such as a tent, sleeping bags, etc.
Who runs the town? Idyllwild-area communities are unincorporated. The main local level of government is Riverside County. Idyllwild is in the third district of the county. Third District county supervisor is Chuck Washington. The supervisor has two advisory boards on the Hill. County Service Area 36 is in Idyllwild and covers recreation and street lamps. County Service Area 38 is located in Pine Cove and covers enhanced structural fire protection. Idyllwild-area communities have seven water districts and a fire district, all with five-member boards, that are separate from the county government. Within and surrounding Idyllwild are county, state and federal lands. The largest area — the San Bernardino National Forest — is run by the U.S. Forest Service. The honorary mayor is a golden retriever named Max.
Other stuff … ATMs: BBVA Compass Bank, The Fort, Lake Hemet Market, Mountain Center and Pine Cove markets, Shell station, Village Market and next to “Harmony,” the town monument. Construction permits: Call or visit the Riverside County Building & Safety Department, 4080 Lemon St., Riverside, 951-955-1800, or the Desert Permit Assistance Center, 77588 El Duna Ct., Suite H, Palm Desert, 760-863-8271. Dead or dying trees: Cal Fire, 951-659-3337; Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council, 951-659-6208; or 951-827-2973 for Gold-spotted oak borer concerns. Deer or other wildlife issues: Call the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 909-484-0167. Fire hazard abatement: All Hill property owners are required to keep their properties fire abated year-round. For more information, visit the Idyllwild Fire Protection District station, the Pine Cove Fire station or the Mountain Resource Center. Continued on next page
