Rosa Fire evacuees seek shelter at Palm Desert Community Center
Athena Jreij
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — The Palm Desert Community Center is serving as the evacuation site for Rosa Fire victims.
According to the Desert Recreation District, the facility’s basketball courts are closed to the public to provide shelter to those displaced. The gym, lobby and multipurpose rooms remain open.
It comes as fire crews grapple with the 1,600+ acre Rosa Fire, and evacuation zones remain in place for the area of Alpine Village and Pinyon Pines.
Red Cross officials say so far, dozens have sought out services including shelter, food, water and mental health services and there’s still room for more.
Leonard Busto evacuated his home Monday as the flames quickly spread near his home.
“My work, my computers, my photo albums, you know, that could all be gone. All of your possessions that you have, that’s a daunting experience.”
Busto had seven animals in his care when the fire broke out and had to lean on the county animal services to safely evacuate them all.
“It’s a very humbling experience to have to come and rely on others and the kindness and their generosity. We didn’t have any place to stay. I mean, you don’t even have the clothing, just the clothes on your back,” Busto said.
Ruben Sanchez was also displaced with his disabled son, uncle and two dogs. He says he left his home unsure of what he’d come back to.
“Once it went to the north side of highway 74, it was like a bomb went off. It was pretty bad,” Sanchez said.
While he isn’t staying overnight at the shelter, he still picked up food and water from the center. He says the fire has had not just an emotional toll, but a financial one since his family decided to stay in a hotel with their pets.
The Red Cross says they’ll operate the evacuate center as long as it’s needed by the community.
The full list of evacuation sites include:
Desert Community Center, 43900 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert
Anza Community Center, 56630 Highway 371, Anza
Animal evacuations at San Jacinto Animal Shelter, 581 S. Grand Ave., San Jacinto
Animal evacuations at Coachella Valley Animal Campus, 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms
Tonight, News Channel 3 gives a look inside the Palm Desert site and the need of those displaced.