Winter Storms Will Pose Threat To Ortega Highway Following Falls Fire

Caltrans officials are concerned that burned area along the Ortega Highway, just west of Lake Elsinore, will be prone to erosion when winter storms hit and therefore the roadway could be impacted.

The Falls Fire burned Aug. 5-10, and scorched nearly 1,400 acres.

Officials have the same concerns for the state route, known as SR 74, as it stretches well east of Lake Elsinore, and SR 243, in the wake of the Silver and Mountain fires.

All told, the three blazes, which burned in and near Idyllwild, Poppet Flats, Twin Pines, Cabazon and Lake Elsinore in August and July, scorched more than 75 square miles of mountain watersheds, including slopes that could unload tons of debris onto the 243 and 74 when the next hard rains fall.

"Management concerns, after the recent fires in District 8, include consideration of the potential damage to the State highway system from rain storms until the re-growth of the adjacent vegetation," Steve Pusey, Deputy Director of Maintenance for Caltrans District 8, said in a statement distributed Tuesday Aug. 27.

"Significant fire events in mountainous areas have long term ramifications to mountain roads and, as a result, District 8 is already preparing for the coming winter," Pusey said.

Caltrans began examining slopes adjacent to the 243 and 74 immediately following the Sliver Fire, the Mountain Fire and the Falls Fire, identifying denuded areas that have the most likelihood of adversely affecting State highways 243 and 74, according to District 8 officials.

"Winter storms can cause erosion, mudslides and debris flow on the slopes above the highways that will eventually find their way into culverts and drains along the roads," District 8 officials said.

"Caltrans is taking the necessary precautions to protect and maintain the drainage systems for these highways. The goal is to mitigate major damage to the roadways."

The Maintenance Department in District 8 is currently preparing for winter storms. Crews are removing loose debris and fallen trees within State right of way along the affected routes. Additional personnel will be assigned to the maintenance stations responsible for the highways within the burn areas and will provide 24/7 coverage during storm events. They will monitor slope activity, clean drains and, when necessary, utilize heavy equipment to clear the roadways.

Here is more from the Caltrans District 8 statement distributed Aug. 27:

As many as ninety percent of wild land fires in the United States are caused by humans. The remaining ten percent are started by lightning or lava.

Fires caused by carelessness or arson can have tragic consequences for the public, firefighters, highway workers, wildlife, forests, streams, air quality and infrastructure.

What impacts do State highways suffer after a fire? Apart from the obvious, the need to repair the road, what can motorists expect in the immediate future? Erosion of the barren slopes caused by wet, winter weather has the ability to wreak havoc on mountain roads.

Caltrans, District 8 Public Affairs, strongly urges drivers to visit the caltrans8.info web page and to utilize Caltrans8 social media such as twitter and Facebook to stay abreast of the road conditions on highways and interstates in District 8. Caltrans is dedicated to public service and strives for excellence and customer satisfaction. --By Guy McCarthy with contribution from Toni McAllister