The smoke head of the Mountain Fire can be seen from Lake Riverside Estates in Aguanga July 15, 2013. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
Anza Valley residents and many others in the smaller mountain communities remember the Mountain Fire eight years ago. It was first reported at 1:43 p.m. July 15, 2013, in Mountain Center, near the junction of Highways 243 and 74.The wildland fire consumed 27,531 acres and destroyed 23 buildings.As the inferno grew in size and ferocity, the huge fire, at its beginning, was easily visible miles away with smoke and ash descending down into the valleys.The Mountain Fire burned for 16 days on rugged ridges of pine trees, chaparral and grasses.Luckily, heavy monsoonal precipitation hit July 21 and helped bring the fire under control. It was fully contained by July 30, 2013.About 3,500 firefighters were deployed to the lines, 20 water dropping helicopters, 12 fixed wing aircra
