Thermal Airport Fire update: Vegetation blaze in Riverside County closes Jacqueline Cochran airport; watch scary visuals
A vegetation blaze dubbed the Airport Fire was reported in Thermal, California on September 4. At the time of writing, the fire is at 3 acres, as per WatchDuty.
Initially, the Airport Fire was a ‘1/4 acre vegetation fire burning in medium to heavy fuels at a moderate rate of spread,’ WatchDuty reported. Later, it was ‘burning in heavy fuels at a moderate rate of spread, with a potential for 5-10 acres’, according to the site that tracks wildfire outbreaks across the country.
At present, there are 4 spots that are actively burning with significant winds out of the Northwest, a later update noted.
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A cause for the fire is not known and there are no updates on any injuries yet. No evacuation orders have been issued as a result of the fire either.
Thermal Airport Fire prompts closures
Currently, an additional ten engines have been requested to fight the fire. Airport Boulevard has been closed at Tyler Street and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, WatchDuty reported. Further, the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport has been requested to be closed.
There is no update yet on when the airport will open. Meanwhile, a map of the impacted area was shared online. “Looks like a fire just broke out around Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, South of Coachella. Stay aware and heed local authorities warnings and NWS, a profile on X noted.
Thermal Airport Fire: Scary visuals
Scary visuals emerged from the Thermal Airport Fire. “large fire is burning on Airport Blvd and Tyler St in Thermal. The area is expected to be closed as firefighters work to contain the fire. Please stay away from the scene. Smoke and ash can irritate your eyes and lungs, so avoid breathing the smoke and keep children and pets away from the area. If you are nearby, consider staying indoors and keeping windows and doors closed until conditions improve,” a local news channel wrote, sharing a video.
A lot of smoke could be seen along with the orange glow across the sky as attempts to fight the fire continued. Another photo showed the fire from a large distance. An orange glow was visible amid the darkness.
Another person shared a photo from their car where the blaze could be seen up ahead.
“A big fire on airport Street in thermal,” they wrote.
