THERMAL, CA — A 12-acre fire burning mostly mulch that ignited Wednesday in a palm grove in Thermal is expected to affect air quality in the Coachella Valley through Thursday.
There was no immediate word on what sparked the non-injury blaze, which was reported about 10:30 a.m. near where Van Buren Street and Avenue 58 intersect, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Nearly five dozen firefighters from multiple agencies were battling the blaze.
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About 20 Imperial Irrigation District electrical customers lost power due to a purposeful shut off by the agency in response to the blaze.
The intersection of Van Buren Street and Avenue 58 was closed, but no evacuations were ordered.
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VEGETATION FIRE - 10:36 A.M. VAN BUREN ST / AVE 58 in Thermal. FF's on-scene of 1/4 acre vegetation and mulch burning in palm grove. @CHP655 assisting w/rd closure @ Ave 58 / Van Buren. 5 OVERHEAD, 13 ENGINES, 2 WATER TENDERS, 1 DOZER. #58FIRE pic.twitter.com/r5OemNHZeK
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) June 24, 2020
