Flats Fire grows to 250 acres, prompts mandatory evacuations for Pinyon Crest

PINYON CREST, Calif.

06/13/21 5:00 p.m. UPDATE:

As of 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, the Flats Fire has now burned 250 acres. According to our News Channel 3 team on scene, one firefighter has been injured while batting the fire and has been transported to Eisenhower Health.

Mandatory evacuations remain in place for the area of Pinyon Crest and an evacuation warning has been issued for Alpine Village and Pinyon due to the Flats Fire, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Small animals can be taken to Coachella Valley Animal Campus at: 72050 Petland Pl., Thousand Palms. Both large & small animals can be taken to: Animal Services facility in San Jacinto at 581 South Grand Ave.

06/13/21 3:30 p.m. UPDATE:

As of 3:30 pm on Sunday, the Flats Fire has now burned 225 acres and remains at 0% containment, per the San Bernardino National Forest Service. An evacuation center has been set up at the Idyllwild School, located at: 26700 Highway 243, Idyllwild, CA 92561.

An evacuation center for both large and small animals has also been set up at: Peatland Animal Shelter – 72049 Petland Place, Thousand Palms, CA 92276.

Mandatory evacuations have been issued for the area of Pinyon Crest and an evacuation warning has been issued for Alpine Village and Pinyon due to the Flats Fire, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

The fire has burned 150 acres and is 0% contained.

The Flats Fire was first reported at 11:15 am Sunday.

Caltrans reports that SR-74 is closed between Palowet Dr. and Ribbonwood Dr. for an unknown duration.

We have a crew on scene and will bring you the latest as we get it.

Heavy smoke can be seen from the Valley, Jeff Rauch sent us this video: