Harrison Fire 95% contained in Thermal
Firefighters continue to douse the remnants of the Harrison Fire, which has burned 80 acres of brush in Thermal after igniting Monday morning at Avenue 66 and Harrison Street.
As of Friday morning, Cal Fire has contained the fire to 95%. The incident commander said the brush fire is holding at 80 acres and firefighters anticipate reaching full containment at some point on Friday.
The brush fire grew from 10 acres to 80 acres in about six hours on Monday.
Firefighters attacked the fire from the ground and the air; using a helicopter to air-drop water in the burn area.
Authorities said two firefighters suffered minor injuries on Monday and a third firefighter was injured in Tuesday’s firefighting effort. The firefighter injured on Tuesday was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury, according to Jennifer Fuhrman with the Riverside County Fire Department.
No other injuries have been reported.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was forced to evacuate some residents from a mobile home park located just north of the fire, at 65830 Harrison Street. A total of 20 homes were evacuated as a precaution, but the evacuation was lifted at about 7 p.m. on Monday.
The American Red Cross was staging at Coachella Valley High School to help those who were evacuated, according to Cal Fire.
The California Highway Patrol closed Avenue 66 to westbound traffic at Tyler Street while crews continue to battle the flames. Echols Road, which is just north of Avenue 66 and Harrison Street, was also closed.
Desert Mirage High School is in the area but Cal Fire Battalion Chief De La Cruz said the winds were pushing the fire and smoke in the opposite direction of the school.
C.V.U.S.D. administrators cancelled after-school programs on Monday at the high school. School officials were closely monitoring the situation and remained in constant communication with Cal Fire, officials said.
A large, dark smoke plume was seen throughout the Coachella Valley throughout Monday.
News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 is closely following Cal Fire’s progress and we’ll continue to update the levels as firefighters work to reach full containment.
Brush fire forces evacuations in Thermal