Vegetation Fire Contained In Thermal

THERMAL – Riverside County firefighters are keeping a close eye on a fire that is still smoldering, this morning, in the east valley.

Fire crews contained a vegetation fire that ignited Sunday afternoon around 1:30 near the intersection of Avenue 73 and Pierce Street.

When the first engines arrived on scene, the fire was estimated atthree acres, but that figure quickly increased totwenty-five acres.

The fire was surrounded by crops onthree sides, which helped fuel the flames.

Twoair tankers were brought in to help the 120 firefighters working to knock the fire down.

By 7 p.m., fire officials declared the flames fully contained, having burned 70 acres. Full control is expected by 7:00 Monday morning.

Pierce Street was blocked off between Avenue 70 and Avenue 73, but Highway 86 remained open.

No injuries were reported, no buildings were threatened, and no evacuations were ordered.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.