HIGH WINDS BLAMED FOR YUCCA VALLEY HOUSE FIRE

Yesterday’s high winds are blamed for a house fire in Yucca Valley. According to County Fire Captain Donnie Viloria, at 2:40 p.m., a passer-by called in the small vegetation fire behind the rear of a vacant house in the 6400 block of Fortuna Avenue. Viloria said wind gusts of 35 miles per hour spread the fire into the back patio and several rooms of the 1200-square foot vacant home. When firefighters from Yucca Valley, Yucca Mesa, Joshua Tree, and Wonder Valley arrived, downed power lines were arcing, and the wind made fighting the blaze challenging. In addition, crews nearly ran out of water. Damage is estimated at $30,000. Arson investigators were called in to determine the cause of the fire. There were no injuries.