Fire Breaks Out Near Palm Springs Tram, Sends Smoke Thru Valley

UPDATE:  IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON A LARGE WILDFIRE SENDING SMOKE INTO THE PALM SPRINGS AND COACHELLA VALLEY TODAY, AUGUST 7, READ ABOUT THE SILVER FIRE HERE --> http://bit.ly/13kDilJ

Update 9 p.m.:  A fire burning near the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway has spread to an estimated 60 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The fire, first reported in the employee parking lot of the tram's lower station, began just before 1:40 p.m. 

Approximately 200 personnel assigned to the fire have managed to get 20 percent containment on the blaze, according to the Forest Service.

Currently assigned resources include: 7 engines, 4 airtankers, 1 air attack, 2 helicopters, and 6 handcrews.

"Due to the steep terrain, this fire will mostly be handled by hand crews and helicopter water drops," the latest Forest Service incident report states.

Update 5:45 p.m. A fire that broke out in the highest parking lot for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway continued smoldering Tuesday afternoon in upper reaches on the east side of rugged Chino Canyon, a Forest Service spokesman said.

There were 200 personnel assigned and many of them were working on the steeps at 5 p.m. to get to active fire and hot spots, which helicopter and tanker pilots managed to box in with retardant earlier Tuesday, John Miller of the San Bernardino National Forest said.

The fire was on federal land but Palm Springs Fire Department personnel were investigating the cause and Cal Fire-Riverside County personnel were assisting, Miller said.

It broke out just before 1:40 p.m. Aug. 6 in the top parking lot and burned east up steep, sparsely-vegetated slopes from there, Miller said. Ridgetop winds were light and stronger winds were evident deeper in the canyon.

Fuels for the fire were burning among the abundant rock and rock formations that dominate Chino Canyon. Miller estimated the fire had burned 20 to 40 acres as of 5 p.m.

There was no threat to the tram's utilities, towers, buildings or other infrastructure as of 5:15 p.m., Miller said.

Some visitors were up at the Mountain Station and out further in parts of San Jacinto Mountain wilderness that remained open in spite of the 43-square-mile Mountain Fire burn area, and they were evacuated by tram personnel.

By 3:30 p.m. there were no civilian vehicles left in the tram parking lots, Miller said.

Tram Spokeswoman Lena Zimmerschied said earlier the tram would remain closed for Tuesday and a decision on Wednesday would depend on the fire.

Update 3:20 p.m.: 

A U.S. Forest Service spokesman tells Patch the fire is now estimated at at least 50 acres in size.

According to Spokesman John Miller, the fire is burning on land that's in the Forest Service jurisdiction, but Cal Fire and Palm Springs Fire departments are helping with the firefighting efforts at this time.

Tram Spokeswoman Lena Zimmerschied says the tramway will remain closed through today, and it's not yet clear if they'll reopen tomorrow.

Original story posted Aug. 6 at 2:15 p.m.:

Palm Springs Fire Department crews are battling a vegetation fire near the Aerial Tramway station, it's been confirmed to Palm Desert Patch.

According to a fire dispatcher, the fire was first reported around 1:45 p.m. near the tram's lower station.

A U.S. Forest Service Spokesman says the fire has burned an estimated 20 to 25 acres so far, near the tram's upper parking lot near Highway 111 and Tramway Road.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway has closed down until the fire is extinguished, according to spokeswoman Lena Zimmerschied

Crews are on scene now, and further details weren't immediately available.  

Stay with Palm Desert Patch for more details as they become available.