Palm Springs wildfire contained

One firefighter suffered a rolled ankle injury after fire crews responded to a Palm Springs brushfire near Tram Way Road. The fire was expected to be fully contained by Sunday evening.

According to Nathan Gunkel with Palm Springs Fire Department the fire is rapidly spreading. It's at 212 acres with 50 percent containment as of Sunday morning.

“I got out of the house and hear helicopters and I looked out and saw helicopters dropping red powder to stop the fire, it was pretty loud," said Aanya Dave, who lives on San Marcos Road.

Residents are on high alert Saturday as a brush fire sparked up near the Palm Springs Aerial Tram.

“Tons of smoke, it was just a wall of smoke, already the helicopters were going back and forth and went right over the house, the whole house shook," said Stevin Henderson.

It ignited near Highway 111 Saturday morning causing it to closed coming off I-10 freeway in Palm Springs. Then, the fire spread south toward Tramway Road. 

Air support making several rounds dropping fire retardant and water as crews pushed through difficult terrain to gain the upper hand on containment.

“Very difficult access getting to it of course no water supply," said Captain Nathan Gunkel, Palm Springs Public Information Officer. "Its been difficult to fight.” 

Firefighters tell News Channel 3 that the wind is causing hot spots to flare up pushing the fire towards the hillside.

“Very hot, very dry, its been very wind driven this fire," said Gunkel. "We have had several wind changes, we’ll get out infront of the fire and then it goes a different direction.” 

One resident with the same concern. 

“I worried because the wind will shift we will usually get it through the banning pass and when the wind comes this way even if it doesn’t flare up you’re going to get lost of debris, ash and its going to smell bad," said Henderson.

Twenty fire units were deployed including additional help from nearby agencies.

50 firefighters continue to fight the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

“No structures are threatened," said Gunkel. "We don’t have any evacuations in place, the visitor center was a concern but it has changed directions again.” 

The fire department is asking the public to please avoid the Tramway Road and to be cautious on Highway 111

This is all the information we have at this time. No word on the cause of the brush fire.