Crews mopping up 20 acre fire near Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Firefighters were making progress early Thursday morning against a brush fire burning near the base of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Firefighters at the scene Thursday estimated the fire at 20 acres, and believe it will be fully contained by Friday.
Officials said there were no injuries reported, no evacuations ordered, and no threat to the community.
The fire was burning on the east side of Tram Road but wasn’t actively burning Thursday morning. Fire crews were mopping up and putting out hot spots.
A power pole was burned by the flames cutting electricity to the tramway. Tram staffers were seen driving up to work, but a representative said the Tram would not open until Friday.
The tramway’s live mountaintop webcam was not providing live pictures Thursday morning. But the last captured image from it showed flames on the mountainside down below.
Palm Springs Firefighters were receiving assistance from CAL FIRE, the US Forest Service, and BLM crews.
Morning winds were very light.
According to KESQ & CBS Local 2 crew at the scene, multiple fire engines were sent to the scene Wednesday evening along with an ambulance.
60 people were evacuated from the Tramway due to the flames at the mountain’s base.
“We’re getting people off the mountain and ya know we are 8516 ft up there so its a long way away. But we, just as a safety precaution when the decision is made by the supervisor or general manager, we start taking people off the mountain and escorting them down the road. It looks like its half done. I’ve seen about 30 cars go by,” Greg Purdy, Vice President of marketing/public affairs at the Tram said.
As of 10 p.m., the fire was 1.5 acres, according to the Palm Springs Firefighters’ Association.
At around 10:30 p.m., KESQ & CBS Local 2 crew were told to move back as the fire had jumped into the trees and grown.
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There was no word on what started the fire. Stay with KESQ & CBS Local 2 for updates as we continue to confirm details.
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