CABAZON — Firefighters achieved 15% containment of a fast-moving brush fire Saturday in Cabazon that burned at least 65 acres and prompted a brief evacuation warning.
The fire was reported around 9:20 a.m. Saturday on the 51000 block of Ida Avenue, where crews found the blaze burning at a dangerous rate of spread amid winds of 5 to 10 mph, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
As of 2:30 p.m., the fire had burned 65 acres, and the forward rate of spread was stopped.
An evacuation warning that was issued for the area east of Magnolia Street, north of Hurley Flats Road, west of Almond Street and south of Esperanza Avenue was lifted as of 2:30 p.m.
Firefighters said they would be on the scene throughout the evening to continue building containment lines.
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.
Saturday’s forecast in Cabazon called for a high of 57 degrees and 16% humidity, with winds of 13 mph. A wind advisory was in effect until 3 p.m. Sunday in the Riverside County mountains, where gusts were expected to reach 40 to 55 mph.
Ida Ave #cabazon
Crews making good progress slower rate of spread compared to when it started. #elmfire no solid acreage update yet . pic.twitter.com/nok1sXhbCh
— FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) December 9, 2023
#elmfire making good progress fire activity has slowed way down as you can see. #cabazon pic.twitter.com/Uw5wnLPltK
— FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) December 9, 2023
Fire on the base of the mountain at Cabazon exit 106 pic.twitter.com/05euYDEw86
— Faith M. Jackson-🐦⬛🟦🟧 (@kissedbythesun) December 9, 2023