Brush Fire Burns In Coachella Valley: Additional Resources Requested

THERMAL, CA — A vegetation fire was burning Monday in the Coachella Valley, though there are no immediate reports of structures threatened.

The blaze, dubbed the Buchanon Fire, was reported at 11:20 a.m. along Highway 86 near Avenue 72, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The fire was initially mapped at 2 to 3 acres in size and was "burning at a moderate rate in heavy fuels," the agency reported. "Additional engines and water tenders [were] requested."

Shortly before 2 p.m., the fire department said the blaze had swelled to 25 acres and was "spotting ahead of itself in mulch piles."

Additional 4-wheel drive fire engines were requested to help access the blaze. The federal Bureau of Land Management was assisting in the firefight.

There were no immediate reports of injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.