Fire Engulfs Palm Trees, Burns 20 Acres in Thousand Palms

THOUSAND PALMS (CNS) – Evacuation orders remained in place today in a Thousand Palms neighborhood where a vegetation fire had burned 20 acres. The blaze began as a large mulch fire that was reported at 6:37 p.m. Monday in the 29000 block of Calle Castillo Lane, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. As firefighters arrived on the scene, the fire extended into nearby palm trees. Officials assigned nine engines and one battalion chief to the fire, which expanded to 20 acres by 8 p.m. An evacuation order was issued for the area north of 30th Avenue, east of Calle Castillo, south of Burr Oak Road and west of Desert Moon Drive. Approximately five structures were affected by the order. Additionally, 12 residences were issued a shelter in place order south of 30th Avenue. The shelter in place order was lifted around midnight, but evacuations remain in place, according to the fire department, which said firefighters expected to be on the scene for several hours Tuesday performing mop-up and overhaul. The fire was 0% contained as of the last update, but the forward rate of progress had been stopped. No injuries or property damage have been reported. Copyright 2022, City News Service, Inc. CNS-04-19-2022 10:18