A 30-acre brush fire erupted in Thermal Monday afternoon amid soaring triple-digit temperatures, threatening structures in the area and injuring three firefighters.
The fire broke out for unknown reasons just before 3 p.m. near Martinez Road and Avenue 66, leading authorities to issue an evacuation order for all residents of the Torres-Martinez Indian Reservation, involving about 50 homes. Martinez Road and Polk Street were also closed between Avenue 66 and Avenue 68.
The fire was zero percent contained as of 5 p.m.
More than 100 firefighters were battling the blaze amid 121-degree temperatures and strong winds, according to the National Weather Service, which issued an excessive heat warning for the Coachella Valley for this week, warning of high temperatures around 120 degrees through Thursday evening.
Three firefighters sustained unspecified, non-life-threatening injuries during the firefight, and were taken to a hospital.
Two air tankers and a water tender were also dispatched to the scene, according to Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann, who said a SunLine bus would be on scene to cycle firefighters in and out of the heat.