Morongo Valley firefighters were helped by favorable winds in fighting a brush fire on the Morongo Grade Tuesday afternoon. Morongo Valley Firefighter Jones said about 3:30 p.m., three passers-by traveling up the grade stopped at the Morongo Valley Fire Station to let them know about a fire in the middle of the grade. Firefighters found the blaze, which burned about one-tenth of an acre, on the south embankment of eastbound Highway 62 in the middle of the grade. Morongo Valley firefighters were assisted by Desert Hot Springs, Cal Fire, and Yucca Valley in putting out the blaze. Jones said the winds kept the 5-foot flames burning down toward the ravine instead of up into the hills and canyons. The slow lane of eastbound Highway 62 was closed for about 1 ½ hours while firefighters battled the fire. The cause is under investigation.
WINDS HELP FIREFIGHTERS BATTLING BRUSH FIRE ON THE MORONGO GRADE
