Rosa Fire Burns 1,658 Acres,18% Contained

ANZA (CNS) - A brush fire that erupted in the San Bernardino National
Forest between Anza and Pinyon Pines has burned 1,658 acres and was 18%
contained today.
  

The non-injury Rosa Fire was reported at 12:25 p.m. Monday on the
north side of Highway 74 at Santa Rosa Truck Trail, according to the Riverside
County Fire Department.
  

Firefighters continued to aggressively attack the fire from the air
and the ground Tuesday.
  

``The upcoming weather will be hotter and dryer with lower humidity
contributing to more fire activity when aligned with slopes and prevailing
winds with active fire spread expected,'' according to a statement from the
department.
  

``Short range spotting is likely with potential fire movement,
resulting in evacuation orders and warnings remaining in place until further
notice.''
  

There have been 775 total personnel assigned to the fire from Cal
Fire, U.S. Forest Service, Palm Springs Fire Department and other agencies. The
equipment includes 91 engines, 16 water tenders, two helicopters, 15 dozers and
15 hand crews, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
  

California Highway Patrol officers shut down both sides of Highway 74
between the junction at Highway 371 in Anza to the west and the area around the
Big Horn Golf Club, just south of Palm Desert, spanning almost 25 miles. The
closure was predicted to continue until the end of the week.
  

Evacuation orders were issued for the area south of Alpine Village,
while warnings were announced for neighboring communities bordering Pinyon
Pines, on either side of the highway.
  

The orders and warnings remained in place as a precaution Wednesday
morning.
  

A care and reception center was set up at the Anza Community Center,
56630 Highway 371. Evacuees were invited to drop their pets at either the
Coachella Valley Animal Campus at 72-050 Pet Land Place in Thousand Palms, or
the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, 581 S. Grand Ave.
  

The cause of the fire was under investigation.
  

Copyright 2025, City News Service, Inc.