Palm Springs Wildfire Grows To 200 Acres, Closes Highway

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A wildfire burning in northern Palm Springs along Highway 111 nearly quadrupled in size since it was first reported Saturday morning, growing to 192 acres with 15% containment.

The fire was reported at about 6:30 a.m. and quickly blackened 50 acres near the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Palm Springs Visitor Center.

UPDATE- Fire Units from multiple agencies continue to work together to extinguish The Tram Fire with support from a full compliment of aircraft. Approximately 100 acres with zero containment as of now. Southbound HWY 111 is closed at I-10. pic.twitter.com/h2vBcKXx27
— Palm Springs Fire Department (@PalmSpringsFire) July 25, 2020

The blaze prompted a stretch of Highway 111 extending one mile north from Gateway Drive to be shut down, Palm Springs police announced at about 7 a.m.

Three hours later, fire officials said the fire had consumed 100 acres before updating that figure to 192 acres early Saturday afternoon.

Crews on the ground were being assisted by water-dropping airplanes and helicopters, according to the Palm Springs Fire Department.

Several fire agencies were responding to what has been dubbed the Tram Fire.

As of 1 p.m., no evacuations had been ordered and no structures were reported to be threatened.

—City News Service