Firefighters Increase Containment On 127-Acre Mecca Blaze

MECCA, CA — A vegetation fire in Mecca has burned 127 acres and is 30 percent contained, according to a Tuesday morning update from Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The closure of Avenue 66 between the Highway 86 Expressway and Fillmore Steet remained in place, the agency reported.

"Please continue to avoid the area as resources continue to increase containment lines," the update stated.

Firefighters responded near Avenue 66 and Highway 86 Expressway about noon Monday to a report of a well-established vegetation fire.

The blaze was between 3 and 5 acres shortly after breaking out and posed a threat to nearby powerlines, a department official said. Imperial Irrigation District personnel responded to the scene to assist.

By 2:45 p.m., the fire had grown to 50 acres and department officials said it had the potential of spreading to 200 acres.

"Firefighting operations (are) being hampered by winds," according to a department statement.

Firefighters from the Palm Springs, Hemet, Riverside and Cathedral City departments assisted in the firefight.

Additional engines were requested to the scene by 4:50 p.m. as the fire grew to 110 acres.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.