Fire Burns 40 Acres Near Thermal; Evacuations Ordered as Crews Battle Blaze

Black smoke was visible across the Coachella Valley Friday afternoon after a vegetation fire broke out shortly before 3 p.m. north of Thermal, in an unincorporated area of Coachella.

According to the Riverside County Fire Department, the blaze started near Shady Lane and Avenue 54. By late afternoon, it had scorched about 40 acres, burning through heavy fuels and multiple date palm trees. Additional crews from across the valley were requested to assist.

Evacuation orders were issued shortly after 4 p.m. for areas south of Avenue 52, east of Monroe Street, north of Airport Boulevard, and west of Highway 111.

While no injuries have been reported, structures on the southern edge of the fire are threatened. A water-dropping helicopter joined fire crews from Cal Fire, Cathedral City, and Palm Springs in battling the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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