U.S. Forest Service using information board in Palm Springs

The U.S. Forest Service is using a communityinformation board in Palm Springs to post updates on the so-called MountainFire, a city spokeswoman said today.

The board is at the Forest Service’s satellite information center atSouth Palm Canyon Drive and Bogert Trail, city spokeswoman Amy Blaisdell said.The Mountain Fire started Monday in Mountain Center and has burned 14,200acres, sending smoke into the Coachella Valley.

Palm Springs fire Chief John Allen said there are no plans to evacuatePalm Springs residents, “based on current and predicted weather behavior.”

He said people in the city will to see fire-related activity in themountains at least through the next week.

Ten engines are ready in Palm Springs “should additional protection beneeded,” Allen said, adding that the Palm Springs Fire Department is incontact with the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and theForest Service, the agencies leading the firefighting efforts.