About 120 firefighters from CalFire, Morongo Valley, and the Bureau of Land Management fought a brush fire that broke out in Big Morongo Canyon Preserve about 12:30 a.m. Monday. As of Tuesday morning, CalFire says the fire, called the Matz Fire, is 16 acres and is 95 percent contained. Two air tankers and three helicopters were called in to help fight the blaze. Firefighters had to walk in about one mile, carrying hoses and firefighting equipment, to reach the flames. The fire was in a remote area of the park with heavy fuel, and CalFire said the high temperatures and low humidity were a concern. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
