Palm Springs Fire Department Patrols City Amid Lightning Strikes

PALM SPRINGS, CA — As a response to a series of lightning strikes that resulted in two small fires and left one person hospitalized Thursday in Palm Springs, firefighters will be on patrol through the area.

A non-injury blaze was reported shortly after noon Thursday along Snow Creek Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The Palm Springs Fire Department responded to the scene before CalFire took over the incident.

The agency stated crews responded to a report of smoke coming from the south side of a mountain. Arriving crews encountered a half-acre brush fire possibly ignited from a lightning strike. The incident was handed over to the Bureau of Land Management as the blaze was on their territory.

In the Chino Canyon area, a palm tree caught on fire from an apparent lightning strike. Additionally, a person was taken to a local hospital after being struck by lightning in a separate incident, fire officials said. No further information was immediately available.

"Dry lightning is lightning with little or no rain reaching the ground. It can spark fires and dry grass, brush and trees," the department stated.

Officials urged residents and nearby visitors to remain indoors at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before heading outside again. Call 911 to report, smoke, flames or an medical emergency.