20-Acre Thermal Brush Fire Fully Contained

THERMAL, CA — A brush fire that charred 20 acres and injured two firefighters in Thermal was fully contained Monday.

The blaze was reported just before 1 p.m. Sunday in the 89000 block of Avenue 76 and contained around 9 a.m. Monday, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Sixteen engine crews responded, including firefighters from Palm Springs and Cathedral City, and the Soboba and Morongo Indian reservations.

Two firefighters suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening. It is unclear what departments the crew members hailed from.

The fire sparked for unknown reasons during the height of a heat wave that reached 117 degrees in Thermal on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Dry and gusty conditions along the desert slopes, through the passes and into some desert areas brought increased fire danger, the NWS said.

No structure loss or other property damage was reported.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

—City News Service