Crews battle Zeta fire on windy night near Desert Hot Springs

Update 11/15/24 - 11:35 p.m.

Riverside County Fire reports that the fire has grown to around one quarter acre after initially encountering a 100 by 100 foot area. Multiple engines are on scene as well as one bulldozer, with another on the way from the east valley to help knock down mulch piles ranging from five feet to as high as eight or nine feet tall. They say winds are an issue and they are watching the desert area around the perimeter of the fire for possible embers.

Original Report 11/14/24 - 11:14 p.m.

Riverside County Fire Department is handling what is being called the Zeta fire near Desert Hot Springs. The mulch fire, with areas piled as high as nine feet tall, was reported just before 9:30 p.m. on Friday. As mulch fires can burn for an extended period of time, firefighters are expected to be at the scene for a long while.

We will continue to monitor this fire, and will bring you any new developments and updates on News Channel 3.