3 mobile homes burn in Rancho Mirage mobile home park

A fast moving fire destroyed three mobile homes in the Blue Skies Village Mobile Home Park in Rancho Mirage late Friday evening.

The mobile home park is located on Highway 111 near Country Club Drive. Cal Fire says they got a call just before 4:30 p.m.

The first arriving fire crew reported heavy smoke coming from one mobile home, and also some palm trees on fire.

The flames spread to two other mobile homes, and at least 20 palm trees caught fire.

“Palm trees can be real challenging because of where the old fronds and where they are cut off, it can capture embers from the fire as well as burn pretty readily because they are dry so it can be a challenge to get all the pieces out,” said Rick Griggs, battalion chief with CAL Fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Cal Fire says there are no reports of injuries. A car also burned under a carport.

People who live in the park are relieved the flames didn’t spread more quickly.

“These units are all really close together and it’s bad enough losing one, but we didn’t want to lose a whole bunch of them,” said Karen Leiman, office manager forthe Blue Skies Village Mobile Home Park.

The home that was completely destroyed had one man living in it. Neighbors say he is staying with family. The other two homes are owned by seasonal residents who weren’t home at the time of the fire.