A refuse fire that began when several mulch mounds ignited in North Palm Springs, charring 26 acres and injuring two firefighters, was 75% contained Monday evening.
The wind-whipped blaze was reported at 8:35 a.m. Sunday in a salvage yard at Kellogg and Pipeline roads, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Crews were expected to remain on the scene overnight working toward full containment.
Residents living north of El Dorado Road to Garnet Road were ordered to evacuate Sunday due to the fire but those orders were lifted by 9 p.m. that night, officials said.
The fire involving several large mulch piles, grasses and a vehicle storage area grew steadily throughout day, fanned by winds clocking between 40 mph and 60 mph, spurring a multi-agency response of up to 125 firefighters, Capt. Fernando Herrera said.
Winds died down by 9 p.m. Sunday, when the fire had reached 26 acres. No additional acreage was reported Monday.
Two firefighters were evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the fire department.
In addition to firefighters from the county and Bureau of Land Management, crews from the Morongo, Idyllwild, Palm Springs, Soboba, Calimesa, Hemet, Riverside and March Air Reserve Base fire departments also responded.