Fire Crews Contain Tamarisk Tree Fire In Indio

Firefighters have contained a tamarisk tree fire that broke out Saturday afternoon in Indio, according to Riverside County Fire.

It started around 5:46 p.m. in an area near Shields Rd. and Highway 111, according to Fire PIO Melody Hendrickson.

The smoke could be seen across the valley, as the flames burned in a 100 x 100 foot area of the grove of trees.

Firefighters got the fire under control around 7:20 p.m., but remained on scene for a few hours to clear the area of a thick layer of plant debris and watch for any flare-ups.

“This is what we consider a deep-seated fire. Underneath those trees is a good 6 to 8 feet of accumulated material. The fire is burning within that material, so the firefighters have to basically remove all that material and then extinguish it,” said Battalion Chief Daniel Talbot.

Click here for a slideshow of pictures sent in from the scene.

Shields Road will remain partially closed while firefighters remove the plant debris. It should reopen by Sunday morning.

There’s no word on what caused the trees to catch fire.

Fortunately no one was hurt.