2 Cabazon Fires Burn Through 80 Acres, 95% Contained

CABAZON, CA - Two fires scorched nearly 80 acres near Cabazon and neared containment Wednesday, with no threats to homes or other structures.

The first blaze was reported shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Apache Trail and Bonita Avenue, while the second broke out about 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Almond Street and Esperanza Avenue, according to a Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson.

The fires were just over two miles apart.

The agency said 36 engine crews and 11 hand crews, numbering more than 300 personnel, were sent to the locations, encountering flames burning rapidly through the medium brush.

Overhead, Cal Fire air tankers and water-dropping helicopters made runs on the brushers, neither of which prompted evacuations.

The drops slowed down the fires, enabling crews to begin encircling them.

As of 11 a.m., Wednesday, the Apache Trail blaze was 95% contained and holding at 36 acres, while the fire along Esperanza was 70% contained and holding at 40 acres, officials said.

Multiple agencies from the region were providing mutual aid, including the Morongo and Calimesa fire departments and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

The cause of both fires was still under investigation as of Wednesday afternoon.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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Swift-Moving Brush Fire Blazes Near Cabazon: 36 Acres Burn