Aircraft, 120+ Firefighters Respond to Fire Near WB Interstate 10 in Whitewater

Multiple aircraft and more than 120 firefighters responded Tuesday morning to a brush fire burning in the Whitewater area on the east end of the San Gorgonio Pass, according to Cal Fire.

The fire was reported at 10:28 a.m. in light to medium fuels near westbound Interstate and Whitewater Canyon Road, Cal Fire-Riverside County spokeswoman Jody Hagemann said.

By 11:30 a.m., the fire had burned an estimated 15 to 20 acres, an incident commander told Hagemann.

Two tanker planes, one helicopter and one air attack lead plane were working with 26 engine crews and other personnel on the ground, Hagemann said.

The California Highway Patrol was requested to set up a road closure at Tamarack Road and Haugen-Lehman Way, Hagemann said.

Weather conditions on the fire include 97-degree heat, 5 mile-per-hour winds and relative humidity of 17 percent, Hagemann said.

Responding agencies included the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Cal Fire, the CHP and the U.S. Forest Service, Hagemann said.

No injuries were reported as of 11:30 a.m.