UPDATE: Fire Near Palm Desert Burns 400 Acres, Closes SR-74

Updated at 1:08 p.m. June 14, 2021:

PINYON PINES, CA — A brush fire that has scorched 400 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in the Pinyon Pines area just west of Palm Desert was 30 percent contained as of 9 a.m. Monday, officials reported.

The Flats Fire broke out Sunday around 11:05 a.m., west of the Pinyon Flat campground, and has destroyed two homes and damaged three residences and three outbuildings.

Evacuation warnings remained in place Monday afternoon for Pinyon Crest, Pinyon Pines and Alpine Village, San Bernardino National Forest officials reported. Evacuation center information (including for animals) is available here.

State route 74 remained closed Monday afternoon between Cahuilla Tewanet Vista Point on the eastbound side and Palm Canyon Drive on the westbound side. Local esidents are allowed beyond the closure but wait times could be 30 minutes or more, San Bernardino National Forest officials reported.

Forest officials reported that one firefighter was injured in the blaze.

A public information line for the fire was set up at 909-382-2711.

The blaze comes as a ridge of high pressure moves over the Southland, bringing temperatures 15 to 20 degrees above average, low humidity and elevated fire danger.

According to the National Weather Service, valleys, mountains and desert slopes will be most susceptible to fires in the afternoons and evenings during the weeklong heat wave, as relative humidity drops to single digits and temperatures reach triple digits in the Inland Empire.

"These elevated fire weather threats while not critical, will be greatest Tuesday through at least Friday," the NWS said.

Keep up on the latest fire details at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7531/

Updated at 10:28 p.m. June 13, 2021:

PALM DESERT, CA — Two homes were destroyed by a wildfire in the San Bernardino National Forest that swelled to 400 acres and was 10 percent containment Sunday evening, prompting a mandatory evacuation order for Pinyon Crest and the partial closure of state Route 74.

Evacuation warnings were also issued for the nearby communities of Pinyon Pines and Alpine Village.

Flames were first reported about 11:05 a.m. west of the Pinyon Flat campground in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument about eight miles south of Palm Desert, according to the California Highway Patrol.

About 400 U.S. Forest Service and Riverside County firefighters were responding to the fire, which they reported was spreading at a moderate rate and jumped state Route 74 in a northeasterly direction.

USFS officials reported that one firefighter was injured and was undergoing a medical evaluation.
In addition to the two homes destroyed, three homes and three outbuildings were damaged by the fire.

#FlatsFire Update: The Red Cross Temporary Evacuation Point remains open at Idyllwild School (26700 Hwy 243, Idyllwild) to assist those under evacuation orders. For wildfire safety tips, visit https://t.co/tpzsPdhC79 or download the free Red Cross Emergency App. pic.twitter.com/WKVQST9Xf2
— American Red Cross Southern California Region (@SoCal_RedCross) June 14, 2021

State Route 74 was shut down in both directions between state Route 371 near Garner Valley and Palowet Drive in Palm Desert, and the public was asked to avoid the area.

An evacuation center was set up at Idyllwild Elementary School, 26700 state Route 243, Idyllwild.

Small animals can be taken to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms, 72050 Petland Place and both large and small animals can be taken to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services facility in San Jacinto, 581 South Grand Ave.

Meanwhile, a public information line for the fire was set up at 951-940-6985.

The blaze comes just as a ridge of high pressure begins to move over the Southland, bringing temperatures 15 to 20 degrees above average, low humidity and elevated fire danger.

According to the National Weather Service, valleys, mountains and desert slopes will be most susceptible to fires in the afternoons and evenings, as relative humidity drops to single digits and temperatures reach triple digits in the Inland Empire.

"These elevated fire weather threats while not critical, will be greatest Tuesday through at least Friday," the NWS said.

EARLIER POST:

A wildfire that ignited near Pinyon Pines along State Route 74 swelled to 250 acres and destroyed two homes.

The fire, which was zero percent contained as of 5 p.m., prompted officials to issue evacuation orders and partially close Highway 74, officials said.

All lanes of SR-74 between Palowet Drive and Ribbonwood Drive were shut down for an undetermined amount of time, according to the San Bernardino National Forest. Drivers were urged to avoid the area and take an alternate route if possible.

Evacuation orders were in effect for residents of Pinyon Crest, while evacuation warnings were issued for Pinyon and Alpine Village, officials said.

A firefighter was also injured in the blaze Sunday afternoon and was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation, officials said.

The wildfire, dubbed the "Flats Fire," grew from 25 acres to 250 acres throughout the afternoon with a "moderate rate of speed," the U.S. Forest Service said.

Flames were reported around 11:05 a.m. west of the Pinyon Flat campground in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, according to the California Highway Patrol. One structure was surrounded by flames, though it was unclear if the structure was occupied, according to the CHP.

U.S. Forest Service firefighters were responding and waiting for 13 aircraft units to help suppress the fire.

The fire comes as the region experiences elevated fire danger due to a ridge of high pressure that has begun to move over the Southland. The pressure shift was forecast to bring low humidity and temperatures 15 to 20 degrees above average.

Valleys, mountains and desert slopes will be most susceptible to fires in the afternoons and evenings, as relative humidity drops to single digits and temperatures reach triple digits in the Inland Empire, according to the National Weather Service.

"These elevated fire weather threats while not critical, will be greatest Tuesday through at least Friday," the NWS said.

This is a developing story, please refresh the page for updates.

The City News Service contributed to this report.

RIVCO: SR-74 near Palowet Dr. All lanes closed due to the Flats Fire. Avoid area or use alternate route if possible. Unknown duration to clear. #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/wMkMgzdnc8
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) June 13, 2021

**UPDATE** RIVCO: SR-74 between SR-371 and Cahuilla Way. All lanes closed due to #FlatsFire. Avoid area or use alternate route if possible. #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/E6PyMh8KIp
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) June 13, 2021