KESQ News Crew Escapes Danger When Winds Shift The Flames

Cal Fire and Riverside County fire crews contained a wildfire on Thursday afternoon that was burning in a lemon grove in north Indio.

The fire was later determined to have been set deliberately.

The fire was reported shortly after 11 a.m. at the Lemon Drop Ranch on Dillon Road, said Cheri Patterson of the Riverside County Fire Department.

Residents told News Channel 3’s Mike Daniels four small spot fires were burning in addition to one larger fire in a date palm grove near the intersection of Dillon Road and Fargo Canyon.

Together, the fires were burning dead lemon trees, which fueled the fire with their natural oils.

At 3 p.m., crews reported they had contained the fire after it burned 15 acres. They expected to have it completely extinguished by 10 p.m.

Just after noon, Cal Fire reported the blaze had jumped Dillon Road and forced crews to shut down portions of the roadway.

The roadway was reopened at 3 p.m., but Patterson urged drivers to use an alternate route if possible.

The earlier closures happened around the same time News Channel 3’s live truck and news crew were almost caught in the fire.

A shift in the wind brought the flames dangerously close to our live mobile newsroom, which was parked in an approved “safe zone,” scorching the News Channel 3 logo on the side of the van.

A staff videographer was injured when he burned his hand on the heated exterior of the station’s live truck while trying to move the vehicle away from approaching flames.

Paramedics treated the photographer at the scene, Patterson said. The other members of KESQ’s news crew were unharmed.

Thursday evening, fire investigators announced they were searching for the person who they believe set the fire on purpose.

If you have any information, call Indio police.