Blaze in Badlands south of Calimesa burns 3,204 acres

UPDATE (06/17/2026) 8:08 AM: The fire remains at 3,085 acres and is now 40% contained. Ground crews made significant progress overnight constructing and strengthening containment lines, laying hose around the fire perimeter, and monitoring interior hotspot activity. Original Report: CALIMESA, Calif. (KESQ) - A brush fire in the Badlands southwest of Calimesa has grown to

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Palm Springs International Airport launches art program, art installation

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - The first installation of Palm Springs International Airport's new public art program was unveiled today. "Desert in Motion,'' created by artist Patrick Barwinski, was unveiled Tuesday in the baggage claim area. The large-scale installation transformed 14 baggage claim columns into painted desert landscapes using geometric forms and vivid colors,

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Desert Care Network hospitals ‘Healthy Over Hungry’ Cereal Drive runs through Thursday

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - Desert Care Network hospitals are wrapping up their annual Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive on Thursday. Officials are asking the public for monetary or cereal donations to feed children and their families a healthy breakfast during the summer. The "Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive'' will run through June 18. People can

Palm Springs Fire reveals new engines ahead of wildfire season

Palm Springs, Calif. (KESQ)- Following a story we first reported on in 2025, the Palm Springs Fire Department is finally putting new fire engines into service. Fire season in the desert is always a concern, and with this new equipment, this will improve response times and overall service. Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado explains that

Shore Fire prompts evacuations and road closures in Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) — Thousands of acres have burned in Riverside County as the Shore Fire continues to threaten communities, forcing evacuations and prompting significant road closures. The wildfire sparked around 3:23 p.m. Monday near Lake Shore Drive and San Timoteo Canyon Road in the Badlands, southwest of Calimesa. Firefighters from Riverside County, Cal Fire,

Wildfire smoke impacting air quality in Coachella Valley

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a wildfire smoke advisory as smoke from the Shore Fire in Riverside County and the Mateo Fire in San Diego County impacts air quality across the region. AQMD says smoke from the fires could lead to unhealthy air quality levels in

Riverside County Grand Jury calls for oversight of jail system, Bianco says report full of ‘false statements’

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — A new Riverside County Civil Grand Jury report is urging county leaders to establish independent civilian oversight of the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, citing ongoing concerns over jail deaths, transparency, and accountability. The report found that Riverside County remains one of California's largest counties without a formal civilian oversight body for

Mecca man killed in two-vehicle collision in Thermal

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) - A 26-year-old Mecca man was killed in a two-vehicle collision in the community of Thermal, authorities said today. Pablo Garcia Lopez was fatally injured at about 5 a.m. Saturday at Avenue 58 and Buchanan Street, according to the California Highway Patrol. A 2017 Acura RDX was traveling at an