The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) provided an update about the Mecca brush fire on Tuesday morning. According to the department, the fire is 127 acres and is 30% contained after firefighters worked overnight. Road closures between Avenue 66 and the Highway 86 Expressway and Fillmore remain in place, and people are advised to avoid the area.
According to Desert Sun, the fire caused some parts of the Coachella Valley to experience smoky conditions. In addition to CAL FIRE, Riverside County Fire Department, crews from Palm Springs, Cathedral City, and Hemet are all on scene providing additional resources. CAL FIRE explained that the fire is burning in an area of brush and has represented only slight fire growth since 8 p.m. Monday when the fire was 110 acres and 5% contained.
Desert Sun reports that CAL FIRE issued its first report on the fire at around noon on Monday. At the time, the fire was between three and five acres, was burning at a medium rate of speed and posed a threat to powerlines. The initial report said the fire had the potential to burn 200 acres. Early firefighting efforts were hampered by winds, and by 5 p.m. the fire had grown to 110 acres. The exact cause of the fire has not been revealed and is still under investigation.