Vegetation fire burns 39 acres in Mecca with 80% containment
UPDATE 7/6/23 11:35 AM
According to Cal Fire, the fire is 80 percent contained. It remains at 39 acres.
UPDATE 7/5/23 7:40 PM
The fire has been mapped at 39 acres and is 60% contained, Cal Fire announced.
Firefighters are working to contain a growing vegetation fire in Mecca that sparked Wednesday morning.
Cal Fire officials say that it started around 9 a.m. near the intersection of Lincoln Street and 66th Ave.
Firefighters say that it is burning in thick vegetation and grew to 6 acres by 10:30 a.m. As of 11:45 a.m., the fire is holding at 15 acres.
Authorities told News Channel 3's Tatum Larsen at the scene that the blaze is 20% contained and no longer actively growing.
By 5:00 p.m., the fire was 30% contained, officials confirmed.
No evacuation orders have been issued as of 10:30 a.m. Mecca Elementary School has voluntarily evacuated because of smoke in the area.
Powerlines in the area were de-energized and a power outage affected several residents for about an hour. Power was restored to most IID customers in the affected area by 11:45 a.m., Cal Fire said.
News Channel 3 crew at the scene witnessed representatives from IID looking at electrical poles on fire.
Anyone needing a place to cool down can go to the Mecca Community Center located at 65250 Coahuila street. To find other Cool Centers in Riverside County, please go to https://t.co/wnXnI5s66O.
— RivCoReady (@RivCoReady) July 5, 2023
News Channel 3's Tatum Larsen is at the scene. She'll have up-to-the-minute details live at 4, 5, and 6 p.m.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
