News

50 firefighters battle 5-7 acre vegetation fire in Thermal, high winds causing fire to spread

Published June 5, 2018 9:04 AM

50 Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters were on the scene of a 5-7 acre vegetation fire in Thermal Monday. The fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m. The fire was initially 3-5 acres in size as of 3:00 p.m.

15 fire engines are on the scene. The fire was sparked in an abandoned date grove near the 56900 block of Jackson Street. The fire burned heavy fuels, approximately 2000-2500 feet of mulch piles. Three structures were threatened from the fire.

Airport Boulevard at Jackson Street were shut down for several hours. One firefighter was transported to an area hospital with symptoms of heat exhaustion.

Hererra says it’s just the beginning of a busy fire season.

“Anytime we don’t have good precipitation throughout the year, obviously all the dry fuels that already exist compound even more. They don’t get a chance to turn green, it gets more dry so that fuel will ignite very rapidly,” said Hererra.

According to Hererra fire crews work year-round for the taxing weather conditions.

“A proper diet, physical fitness, acclamation is a big thing for people who live out here in the desert. We prepare months in advance. Fire season never ends. It’s year round out here in California especially out here in the desert,” said Hererra.

The cause of the blaze is not known at this time.