Fire at ranch in Coachella burns house, sheds, mulch, and two acres of date palms
A fire at a ranch engulfed a home, burning multiple sheds, several feet of mulch, and about two acres of date palms Thursday evening in Coachella.
The fire was reported at around 7:00 p.m. near Tyler Street and Avenue 48.
"Firefighters on-scene of a residential structure fully involved with fire. Approx. 20 palm trees are also burning," CAL FIRE officials wrote on social media.
CAL FIRE officials said numerous sheds on the property and approximately two acres of date palm fronds and mulch that is 6-8 feet deep.
Firefighters told News Channel 3's Bianca Ventura that the weather created some difficulties.
"The big challenge was, right about sunset, we had a wind shift. The wind was coming from the south and pushing it north into the palm trees, the date palms. And then when the wind shifted, there's a sunset, the wind shifted, and it pushed it into our mulch piles," said CAL FIRE battalion chief Josh Rivers.
There were reports that some cattle escaped their pens but officials said they’ve been able to get them to safety.
There are no reported injuries to people or animals
Officials said the burning mulch will most likely keep crews working on the fire overnight.
Several viewers called the newsroom to report seeing a big plume of smoke visible as far as the I-10 in the Thousand Palms area.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.