Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

UPDATE 8/5/25 3:30 PM – The fire has been mapped at 1,658.2 acres by Intel Aircraft. Highway 74 is expected to remain closed through Satuday, Aug. 8.

UPDATE 8/5/25 11:35 AM – The fire has been mapped at 1,535.7 acres by Intel Aircraft

UPDATE 8/5/25 10:45 AM – Highway 74 will remain closed until at least Wednesday, according to CHP. People are not being let up on Tuesday due to high wind warnings.

UPDATE 8/5/25 6:00 AM – Containment now at 5%. The remains are at 1,200 acres.

ANZA, Calif. (KESQ) – Highway 74 remains shut down as a vegetation fire has burned around 1,200 acres between Anza and Pinyon Pines, with zero percent containment.

Evacuation orders include these areas: RVC-1983-A, RVC-1984, RVC-2051, RVC-2052, RVC-2121, RVC-2122-A, RVC-2122-B. These zones are in the area of Alpine Village and Pinyon Pines. See Genasys Protect for exact parameters.

Evacuation warnings have been issued for these areas: RVC-1915, RVC-1916, RVC-2123.

CAL FIRE reports on social media that Care and Reception and Animal Evacuation sites are located at:

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

The fire was first reported just before 12:30 p.m., on Highway 74 east of Santa Rosa Truck Trail.

“Firefighters are on scene of 10 acres of vegetation burning at a rapid rate of spread. Additional air and ground resources have been requested,” CAL FIRE wrote on social media.

By 4:30 p.m., the fire has burned approximately 1,200 acres, according to incident command.

Evacuation orders were issued for scattered properties on the west side of Pinyon Pines.

Click here to search evacuation areas

Care and reception centers opened at the Anza Community Hall and Palm Desert Community Center, Supervisor Manuel Perez announced on social media.

The following animal evacuation shelters are open:

San Jacinto Animal Shelter – 581 S. Grand Avenue, San Jacinto

Coachella Valley Animal Campus – 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms

The California Highway Patrol shut down both sides of the two-lane highway between the junction at Highway 371 and Big Horn in Palm Desert.

#AIRQUALITY ADVISORY: WILDFIRE SMOKE (Monday, August 4th – Tuesday, August 5th):Smoke from the #GiffordFire, #RosaFire and #GoldFire is expected to impact parts of the South Coast Air Basin and Coachella Valley: https://t.co/Y158OoPtBX pic.twitter.com/wffdYY2EE0

— South Coast AQMD (@SouthCoastAQMD) August 5, 2025

We have a crew at the scene gathering the latest information. Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – 19 people are displaced after a fire damaged seven structures Sunday in Banning.

The fire was first reported at around 12:55 p.m. on the 1100 block of W. Hays Street.

A fourth alarm was requested to support ongoing fire ground operations, CAL FIRE said. The fire was contained by 4 p.m.

A firefighter sustained a minor injury and a civilian sustained major injuries; both were treated and transported by ground ambulance.

CAL FIRE noted that 13 adults and six children are displaced.

There is no word on the cause of the fire.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s been hot and hazy across the Coachella Valley, leading to poor air quality in recent days.

Rick Miller, who often takes his dog to the David H. Ready Dog Park in Palm Springs, noticed the usual group of dog owners was thinner on Monday.

Miller and his dog, Luca, at a Palm Springs dog park

“Some friends of mine have asthma and so they don’t come on days when the air quality is bad,” Miller explained. “One of my friends is on an oxygen tank and he comes here and when the air quality is bad, he notices that it malfunctions and it overheats much quicker. He can’t stay very long.”

At times, air quality dipped into the “Unhealthy” range over the weekend. As of Monday, most of the valley is seeing “Moderate” air quality.

Haze looking southwest, towards the Banning Pass, from Edom Hill

You can check your air quality using South Coast Air Quality Management District’s air quality map.

The Gifford Fire, which is burning over 200 miles to our northwest, has torched upwards of 65,000 acres as of Monday morning. According to the National Weather Service, our weather pattern is helping fuel westerly winds, which are funneling the smoke from that wildfire across Southern California and beyond. That haze is being pushed as far as Las Vegas!

Adam Roser, a Lead Meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s San Diego forecast office, said, “We have a trough of low pressure up to the north and then an area of high pressure over the southwest desert region. So those two pressure systems are kind of in between those, so that wind pattern is just kind of funneling some westerly winds across the area.”

A new wildfire, the Gold Fire, burning near Big Bear, is also expected to contribute to smoky conditions in the low and high deserts.

Over the weekend, the Coachella Valley also saw elevated levels of ground-level ozone, a primary pollutant in smog. This type of ozone (which is different from stratospheric ozone) is created through a chemical reaction: emissions from cars are heated on hot, sunny days, resulting in this pollutant.

Ozone in the upper atmosphere is great for us. It helps protect us from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Ground-level ozone, however, can cause breathing problems and is one of the main ingredients of the smog we’re seeing across the valley.

Mix the ozone with the wildfire smoke being funneled into the valley, and the result becomes poor air quality and hazy skies.

“We haven’t really seen a lot of, you know, windy conditions. It’s been kind of lighter winds in the atmosphere as well, so not as much movement of air. A couple of those factors in the weather can really contribute to that as well,” said Roser.

“Those hot temperatures combined with, you know, some of the smoky skies will make for poor air quality for those sensitive groups.”

Rick Miller and the dogs he’s looking after hoped the hazy skies give way to better air quality sooner rather than later.

“[These conditions are] not good because we need to get out and enjoy this, especially what’s going on in the world,” Miller said. “It’s good to have some positive things to look forward to and being outside when the weather is nice and the air is clear, it makes a big difference.”

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A felon was arrested for allegedly trying to steal a vehicle at gunpoint and robbing a person at a Palm Springs gas station, authorities said today.   

The suspect, a 38-year-old man from Palm Springs, was arrested and booked into the Benoit Detention Center in Indio on Sunday on suspicion of attempted carjacking, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm, parole violation and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.  

Shortly before 5:40 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a call in the 2700 block of North Palm Canyon Drive regarding an armed robbery in progress, police said. The reporting party told authorities that a man tried to steal a vehicle.

The suspect approached a victim who was pumping gas and demanded the victim’s car keys and belongings using a firearm, police said.   

After entering the vehicle, the suspect was unable to operate it for unknown reasons, police said. Another person attempted to intervene and the suspect fled the scene on foot.

He was taken into custody after a short foot chase.   

Officers recovered a loaded unregistered firearm and found the victim’s stolen property, police said.

“We commend the coordinated efforts of the officers involved, whose teamwork and persistence led to the safe apprehension of the suspect and recovery of key evidence,” the department said in a statement.

Background information on the suspect was unavailable.

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Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A young female coyote named Athena, who was recovering after surviving a hit-and-run, is now in the custody of California Fish and Wildlife.

Athena had been under the care of El Paseo Animal Hospital, where she underwent surgery to amputate her front right leg. But Dr. David Jeffrey, the veterinarian who treated Athena, worries the transfer may not be enough to guarantee her safety.

“It really depends on who is assessing them and what volume they’re seeing. A lot of these places are overwhelmed with injured coyotes, injured wildlife, so a lot of tough decisions have to be made and they don’t have the facilities to care for an animal like Athena, who’s in between.”

Dr. David Jeffrey, El Paseo Animal Hospital

Although three-legged coyotes can often survive in the wild, Athena was deemed non-releasable because she showed signs of socialization with humans.

Dr. Jeffrey said he had been working with Imagine Jungle Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Big Bear, to find Athena a permanent home. But efforts stalled due to red tape.

“Zoos can’t accept an animal from me, a veterinarian… There’s a lot of legality about zoos accepting them from places that aren’t licensed rehabilitation facilities. There’s a good reason for that red tape and process.”

Dr. David Jeffrey, El Paseo Animal Hospital

California Fish & Wildlife has not yet responded to News Channel 3’s request for comment but an officer off-camera said they’re following state regulations and plan to move her to a licensed wildlife rehab facility.

Jeffrey remains hopeful Athena will be given a second chance.

Stay with New Channel 3 for more.

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Haley Meberg

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)– The City of Indio prepares to begin its Annual Pavement Management Project to improve driving conditions and the longevity of neighborhood streets. 

This annual event includes a series of four different road pavement projects that will begin on August 11 and complete August 22. The work involves grinding and overlaying asphalt surfaces through specific neighborhoods in the city. 

Pavement for the project will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with temporary road closures during construction times.

The first improvement for the pavement project is set for August 11 to August 12 along Palm Meadows and Ave 46.

The second installation to this project will take place by Santa Fe Homes August 13 through August 15. 

The third installation will take place along Country Club Drive and Ave 42 to limit on August 18, with the final improvement taking place throughout Central Indio from August 19 to August 22. 

City officials urge residents to plan ahead and take alternative routes throughout construction times, as delays are expected for the community while the project takes place. 

For more information about construction alerts www.indio.org/departments/public-works-department/construction-alerts

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.  

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Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– The Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) has introduced a new initiative called the “Portrait of a Graduate,” a framework aimed at ensuring students graduate not only academically prepared but also equipped with essential life and career skills.

This initiative focuses on key competencies such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and work ethic—skills that are critical for success in college, the workforce, and life in general. It reflects a broader, national movement to better prepare students for the demands of a rapidly changing world.

The Portrait of a Graduate was developed over the course of a year through a collaborative, community-driven process. Input was gathered from educators, students, families, community members, and local industry professionals. The result is a unified vision for what students need to succeed beyond the classroom.

Karen Dimick, Director of College and Career Readiness at PSUSD, explained that the goal of the program is to ensure all members of the district—from teachers to custodians to counselors—play a role in student development. These skills are not just theoretical; they are embedded into daily learning, from teamwork in the classroom to real-world problem-solving.

The program is districtwide and applies to every student, from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. It officially launched this school year and is being introduced to all staff, students, and families with an emphasis on creating a consistent language and approach across all schools.

One of the unique aspects of the initiative is the active involvement of local industry. Lauren Bruggemans, Director of Sustainability and Community Engagement at Visit Greater Palm Springs and an alumni of PSUSD, contributed by bringing insights from the tourism and hospitality sector. She collected feedback from HR professionals about the skills they look for in new employees, and those responses helped shape the Portrait of a Graduate’s key competencies.

Bruggemans noted that this initiative would have been a valuable tool during her own time as a student, as it provides clear guidance and focus for both academic and personal growth. She emphasized that the framework helps young people understand what it takes to thrive in a professional environment, especially when supported by wraparound services and resources offered by the district.

For students, this initiative promotes confidence and encourages them to take ownership of their educational journey. Whether applying for college, starting internships, or simply adjusting to the transition from middle to high school, the framework gives them a foundation to build upon.

Dimick encourages families to support their children by reinforcing the importance of these skills at home. Simple conversations about collaboration, perseverance, and communication can help students connect their classroom experiences with real-life applications.

The launch of the Portrait of a Graduate underscores PSUSD’s commitment to preparing students for lifelong success, ensuring they graduate not only with knowledge but also with the skills and mindset to contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond.

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Tori King

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)– Riverside County Animal Shelters are offering free adoptions for the month of August, in a new push to find homes for pets. The shelter system is hosting an Unleash Your Superpower – Adopt a Hero event all month long.

From August 1st to the 31st, adoption fees are $0 for all pets at Riverside County shelters. That includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, and a microchip. Right now, the shelters are in a critical space crisis. Every kennel is full, and pets are waiting urgently for someone to save them.

See all of the adoptable pets at https://rcdas.org/adoptable-pets

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Athena Jreij

ORDWAY, Calif. (KESQ) — Firefighters are battling hard into Sunday to strengthen containment and extinguish hot spots on the Oak Fire, officials said this weekend.

It currently stands at 46 acres with 50% containment.

Cal Fire Riverside officials say the blaze began shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday at Live Oak Canyon Road and San Timoteo Road in the community of Ordway, about 14 miles west of Beaumont.

There is no immediate structure threat or injuries reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Crews will remain on scene to mop up and improve control lines this weekend.

Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this story.

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