Brusher That Injured Four People Partially Contained

A vehicle-caused brush fire in east Anza that injured four people and scorched nearly 450 acres was 50 percent contained this afternoon and losing steam.

The “Anza Fire,” which broke out shortly before noon Monday, prompted some evacuations and led to the closure of state Route 74 between Palm Desert and Anza. However, according Caltrans, by early this afternoon, the 74 was completely re-opened, with unobstructed two-way travel.

According to the Riverside County Fire Department, estimates that had earlier put the acreage consumed at around 500 acres were premature, and aerial mapping gauged the blaze at 447 acres by 5 p.m.

Some crews were being pulled off the fire lines as the brusher stalled, but according to the fire department, more than 300 personnel were still at the scene late today.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory, cautioning that parts of the Inland Empire remained exposed to “unhealthful” atmospheric conditions because of the brusher.

A motorhome fire at the junction of Routes 74 and 371 sparked the blaze, which quickly advanced into the San Bernardino National Forest, authorities said.

The occupant of the vehicle suffered second- and third-degree burns over 3 percent of his body. Three firefighters were also hospitalized with minor injuries, but fire officials said today that each crew member had since been cleared to return to work as early as Wednesday morning.

At the height of the conflagration, residents in the area of Paradise Drive, Pimlico Drive and Church Hill Downs were evacuated to Hamilton High School in Anza, but the evacuation order was canceled around 7 p.m. Monday.

Both east- and westbound lanes of the 74 were shut down overnight as a precaution. Until this morning, traffic attempting to go west on the 74 was stopped and turned around in Palm Desert, according to Caltrans.

Air tankers and water-dropping helicopters were doing the bulk of the firefighting in daylight hours because of rugged, inaccessible terrain. The helicopters were using Lake Hemet as a water resource.

Engine companies, water tender crews, bulldozer operators and hand crews from the county and U.S. Forest Service worked to establish containment lines. There was no word on when the blaze might be fully encircled.

--City News Service