Cranston Fire
{{Short description|2018 wildfire in Southern California}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox wildfire
| title = Cranston Fire
| image = 2018 07 26-01.53.36.141-CDT.jpg
| caption = Cranston Fire on July 26, 2018
| date = {{Unbulleted list|{{Start date|2018|07|25}} – |{{End date|2018|08|10}}}}
| location = Mountain Center and Idyllwild, Riverside County, California, United States
| coordinates = {{coord|33.72|-116.8|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = USA California
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of fire in California
| cost = >$22.06 million (2018 USD){{cite web|url=https://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/predictive/intelligence/NationalLargeIncidentYTDReport.pdf|title=2018 National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report|publisher=CAL FIRE|date=August 28, 2018|access-date=August 30, 2018}}
| area = {{Convert|13,139|acre|km2|0}}
| buildings = 12
| injuries = 3
| fatalities = 0
| cause = Arson
| landuse =
| perps = Brandon N. McGlover
| motive =
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=260|frame-height=|from=2018 Cranston Fire.map|frame-latitude=33.71|frame-longitude=-116.71|zoom=11|text=Perimeter of Cranston Fire (map data)}}
}}
{{OSM Location map
| coord = {{coord|33.72|-116.9}}
| zoom = 10
| float = right
| width = 250
| height = 200
| caption = Location of Cranston Fire
| title =
| scalemark = 100
| shape1 = image
| mark1 = FireIcon.svg
| mark-coord1 = {{coord|33.72|-116.8}}
| mark-size1 = 20
| label1 = Cranston Fire
| label-pos1 = left
| label-size1 = 14
|label-color1 = black
| label-offset-x1=
| label-offset-y1=
|mark-title1= Cranston Fire
}}
The Cranston Fire was a wildfire that burned in southwest Riverside County, California, in the United States. The fire was started on July 25, 2018, by Brandon M. McGlover, in an act of arson. The fire burned a total of {{convert|13,139|acre|km2|0}}, before it was fully contained on August 10. The Cranston Fire impacted the communities of Idyllwild, Mountain Center, and Anza as well as recreational activities in the Lake Hemet area, San Bernardino National Forest and Mount San Jacinto State Park. Over 7,000 people were evacuated due to the Cranston Fire. These communities also went without power for 11 days in 100° temperatures.
Progression
=July=
The Cranston Fire was started on July 25, around noon, by Brandon M. McGlover, who allegedly started numerous fires in the region that day. By the evening, the fire had burned {{Convert|4700|acre|km2|0}}, with five percent containment. Over 2,000 people were evacuated, including Mountain Center, Idyllwild, Lake Hemet, a Girl Scouts camp and more. Portions of Highway 74 and Highway 243 were closed.
The next day, the fire had reached approximately {{Convert|7500|acre|km2|0}} and was at three percent containment. Evacuations were expanded to include Cedar Glen, Fern Valley, Mount San Jacinto State Park, and Pine Cove. Numerous areas, including campgrounds, in both the State Park and San Bernardino National Forest were closed. The fire was reported to have destroyed five homes.
File:Cranston Fire, as seen from Palm Desert CA July 27, 2018.jpg
By July 27, over 7,000 people were evacuated due to the Cranston Fire. The fire had short, active runs in the southeast area of the fire, however, good suppression efforts were made. Caltrans focused on removing debris from highways. By the next day, July 28, two firefighters were reported injured and Hamilton High School was named an evacuation center. The fire continued to grow into Garner Valley.{{cite web |title=Cranston Fire Morning Update 07/28/2018 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44504/ |website=inciweb.nwcg.gov |publisher=USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management |access-date=29 July 2018 |language=en |archive-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729081625/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44504/ |url-status=dead }} Evacuation orders were put in place, and then lifted later that evening, for Garner Valley. Crews made significant efforts to keep the fire out of the southern and eastern parts of Idyllwild as the fire threatened fire retardant lines. Repopulation began in areas of Garner Valley and on July 29 repopulation started in Fern Valley, Pine Cove, Cedar Glen, and parts of Idyllwild.{{cite web |title=Cranston Fire Morning Update 07/29/2018 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44586/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management |access-date=31 July 2018 |language=en |archive-date=31 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731123255/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44586/ |url-status=dead }} By that evening, 560 people remained evacuated and the fire had been over half contained. Twelve buildings had been damaged and five damaged. One shelter was closed.{{cite web |title=Cranston Fire Evening Update 07292018 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44607/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management |access-date=31 July 2018 |language=en |archive-date=31 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731093327/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44607/ |url-status=dead }}
Crews focused on mopping up and securing the fire's edge and containment lines were near finished around Idyllwild. Repair began to reduce erosion and mitigate impacts to natural resources as a result of fire suppression efforts.{{cite web |title=Cranston Fire Morning Update 07/30/2018 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44623/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management |access-date=31 July 2018 |language=en |archive-date=31 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731093251/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44623/ |url-status=dead }} The next day, July 31, Southern California Edison crews focused on restoring power by installing new power poles.{{cite web |title=Cranston Fire Morning Update 07/31/2018 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44699/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management |access-date=1 August 2018 |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801064328/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44699/ |url-status=dead }} Hazard trees were removed and light precipitation aided in fire suppression.{{cite web |title=Cranston Fire Evening Update 07/31/2018 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44745/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management |access-date=1 August 2018 |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801065837/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44745/ |url-status=dead }} By the evening of July 31, the fire had burned {{convert|13139|acre|km2|0}} and was 89 percent contained.
=August=
As the Cranston Fire continued to burn into August, no new growth was reported. Teams began to be demobilized as the fire moved towards containment with mop up and suppression repair efforts in progress. Caltrans focused on removing hazardous trees on roadways while Southern California Edison focused on power restoration. Evacuation orders were lifted for Idyllwild, Pine Cove, Fern Valley, Cedar Glen and the western portion of Garner Valley up to Lake View Drive at the Lake Hemet Market.{{cite web |title=Cranston Fire Morning Update 08/01/2018 |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44752/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management |access-date=1 August 2018 |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802012712/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44752/ |url-status=dead }} By the morning of August 2, the Cranston Fire had burned {{convert|13139|acre|km2|0}} and was 92 percent contained, with 100 percent containment anticipated by August 9.{{cite web |title=Cranston Fire expected to be contained by August 9 |url=https://www.kesq.com/news/cranston-fire-expected-to-be-contained-by-august-9/776062163 |website=KESQ |publisher=City News Service |access-date=1 August 2018 |date=1 August 2018 |archive-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801230841/https://www.kesq.com/news/cranston-fire-expected-to-be-contained-by-august-9/776062163 |url-status=dead }} On August 10, 2018, the Cranston Fire was fully contained.
Effects
The fire caused evacuations in residential areas, including Mountain Center, Idyllwild, Pine Cove, and Cedar Glen, as well as evacuations and closures in Mount San Jacinto State Park and the San Jacinto Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest. It also caused road closures along Highway 74 and Highway 243, impacting access to Hemet. Parts of Highway 74 and Highway 243 were later closed multiple times due to the threat of mudslides caused by the fire.{{cite web |title=#HWY74 and #HWY243 could close at a moment notice due to rain/mudslides #CALTRANS – FF |url=http://www.idyllwildemergency.com/hwy74-and-hwy243-could-close-at-a-moment-notice-due-to-rain-mudslides-caltrans-ff/ |website=Idyllwild Emergency |publisher=Mountain Disaster Preparedness |access-date=22 Aug 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823105554/http://www.idyllwildemergency.com/hwy74-and-hwy243-could-close-at-a-moment-notice-due-to-rain-mudslides-caltrans-ff/ |archive-date=23 August 2018 |url-status=dead }} Areas in the Mountain Center area were also ordered to evacuate multiple times due to this threat.{{cite web |title=Emergency alert: Fleming Ranch, Strawberry creek, Hurkey Creek, Apple Canyon ordered to evacuate – FF |url=http://www.idyllwildemergency.com/emergency-alert-fleming-ranch-strawberry-creek-hurkey-creek-apple-canyon-ordered-to-evacuate-ff/ |website=Idyllwild Emergency |publisher=Mountain Disaster Preparedness |access-date=22 Aug 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823105557/http://www.idyllwildemergency.com/emergency-alert-fleming-ranch-strawberry-creek-hurkey-creek-apple-canyon-ordered-to-evacuate-ff/ |archive-date=23 August 2018 |url-status=dead }} Additionally, it caused numerous trail closures, including the Pacific Crest Trail. Parts of the National Forest were ordered closed until July 31, 2019.{{cite web |title=Order No. 12-18-05 |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/CABDF/2018-07-25-1500-Cranston/related_files/pict20180703-180821-0.pdf |website=InciWeb |publisher=USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management |access-date=22 Aug 2018 |language=en |archive-date=2018-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823042124/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/CABDF/2018-07-25-1500-Cranston/related_files/pict20180703-180821-0.pdf |url-status=dead }} Over 7,000 people were evacuated due to the fire.
= Transportation =
Numerous portions of Highway 74, Highway 371 and Highway 243 were closed as a result of the fire, specifically in the areas of Hemet and Banning. Temporary flight restrictions were in place for the area. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was closed for four days due to the fire.{{cite web |last1=Forgione |first1=Mary |title=Palm Springs tram reopens after four-day closure because of the Cranston fire |url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-cranston-fire-palm-springs-tram-reopens-20180731-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |date=31 July 2018 |access-date=2 August 2018}}
= Recreation =
San Bernardino National Forest was closed as a result of the Cranston Fire. Additional recreational closures included Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Investigation
On July 25, the same day the fire was reported, CAL FIRE arrested Brandon N. McGlover for setting multiple fires in Riverside County. He was charged with 15 felony counts of arson for starting nine fires.{{cite web |title=ARSON ARREST MADE BY CAL FIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT ON CRANSTON FIRE... - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44364/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management |access-date=27 July 2018 |language=en |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727085112/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6032/44364/ |url-status=dead }} McGlover was sentenced to 12 years and four months in prison, must register as an arsonist for life, and is required to pay restitution to victims.{{cite web |title=Brandon McGlover pleads guilty to arson charges in Cranston Fire case, gets 12 years in prison |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2019/02/14/arson-cranston-fire-brandon-mcglover-guilty-plea-idyllwild-sage-anza/2865735002/ |website=Desert Sun |publisher=USA Today |access-date=14 July 2019 |language=en}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Cranston Fire}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20190714081734/https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd615365.pdf San Bernardino National Forest Cranston Fire Closure Order No. 05-12-55-18-01]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20190714081736/https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd615369.pdf Forest Closure Order Map]
{{California wildfires}}
Category:2018 California wildfires
Category:July 2018 crimes in the United States
Category:San Bernardino National Forest
Category:Wildfires in Riverside County, California
Category:Crimes in Riverside County, California