Brush fire in Coachella Valley 40% contained at 80 acres
A brush fire that briefly prompted evacuations in the Coachella Valley remained at 80 acres Tuesday morning.
The fire was first reported shortly after 10 a.m. Monday and swiftly spread through the dense vegetation near Avenue 66 and Harrison Street in Thermal, according to Cal Fire spokesman Capt. Lucas Spelman.
The fire was 40% contained. It mostly stopped spreading late Monday afternoon, but temperatures of up to 115 degrees slowed the firefighters on scene.
“We have to make sure the [firefighters] stay hydrated,” Spelman said Monday.
About 20 nearby homes were initially evacuated as a precaution, but evacuation orders were lifted at 6 p.m., fire officials said.
The cause of the blaze remained under investigation, Spelman said.
For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno.
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