Tuscany Fire Burns 350 Acres In N. Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A Palm Springs vegetation fire that broke out late Monday morning consumed approximately 350 acres before crews slowed its spread, according to an evening update from the Palm Springs Fire Department.

The blaze, dubbed the Tuscany Fire, started around 11:26 a.m. near Tramway Road in North Palm Springs and burned at a quick rate of spread, Palm Springs police said.

Additional resources were summoned, though no structures were threatened and no evacuations were issued. Crews were battling the blaze by ground and air, according to Cal Fire.

As of approximately 8 p.m., the blaze was 50% contained, the Palm Springs Fire Department reported.

There were no reports of injuries.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway halted operations due to the smoke and visibility issues.

The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

The Tuscany blaze wasn't the only one burning in Riverside County.

An 867-acre brush fire that erupted east of Moreno Valley was 50% contained Monday, with conditions generally favorable to crews as they continued to dig containment lines.

The non-injury "Lisa Fire" was reported just after 1 p.m. Sunday in the area of Alessandro Boulevard and Gilman Springs Road, south of the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway, in rugged terrain known as the Badlands, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the brusher, supported by Cal Fire air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, encountering flames burning at a moderate rate, away from the nearest homes.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, the blaze was 50% contained, and firefighters were making steady progress tying up gaps and establishing containment lines. Winds were calm and skies mostly cloudy, as a trough of low pressure settled over the region, lowering temperatures and increasing relative humidity.

The weather pattern was predicted to continue into mid-week.

Cal Fire aircraft departed the area around sunset on Sunday and had not been called back into action Monday.

No evacuation warnings or orders were required because of the fire. However, the California Highway Patrol did temporarily shut down roads in the immediate vicinity of the brusher Sunday afternoon. No closures were in effect Monday.

The cause of the blaze was under investigation.