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Brush Fire Chars At Least 50 Acres Near RivCo Airport: Cal Fire

Around 8 a.m., containment of the fire held at 20 percent.

Fire crews battled a blaze that erupted Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 in Thermal, California and burned at least 50 acres. (Renee Schiavone/Patch)

THERMAL, CA — A brush fire that erupted near a local airport Thursday night scorched at least 50 acres in Thermal before firefighters stopped the forward rate of spread, fire officials said.

The blaze was reported around 10:15 p.m. in the 86100 block of Airport Boulevard near Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

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The agency said nine engines, including an engine from the Palm Springs Fire Department, responded to the fire which burned vegetation at a moderate rate. Around 2:30 a.m., crews were able to stop the forward rate of spread.

Around 8 a.m., containment of the fire held at 20 percent.

No injuries were reported, and no evacuation orders were issued.

Authorities closed Deputy Manny Villegas Way to Tyler Street closed while crews mopped up the scene.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area as fire crews continued to work on containment lines, fire officials said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

No additional information was immediately available.

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