June 18 Daily Briefing: Fire burns 350 acres, new equipment at Baristo Park, ShortFest starts, and more

Welcome to Tuesday. As if we needed another reminder that California basically has two seasons — fire and flood — yesterday’s Tuscany Fire arrived to supply the nudge. Our hats are off to the crews that battled the blaze, both on land and in the air. They’re also off to all residents of homes along the hillsides who have heeded the many warnings from fire officials to make sure their properties were prepared for what we saw yesterday. Need some tips to make your home defensible against wildfires? Turn here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Pensamientos Intrusivos” by Kali Uchis

LEADING OFF

Tuscany Fire burns 350 acres near Palm Springs tram entrance

A wind-whipped fire that started Monday morning and quickly spread up the hillside south of Tramway Road is mostly contained this morning thanks to the efforts of multiple agencies, including the Palm Springs Fire Department.

Driving the news: The “Tuscany Fire” was first reported around 11:30 a.m. near the 2500 block of City View Drive, just west of the Little Tuscany and Chino Canyon neighborhoods. No cause was immediately known.

• Driven by winds gusting up to 25 mph, the fire spread rapidly up the hillside as crews on the ground waited for air support, eventually consuming 350 acres. 
  
  
• While visitors at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway were allowed to return to the valley floor, operations ceased at the tram for the remainder of the day.

By the numbers: As of the last report late Monday evening, the fire was 50% contained after aircraft spent hours dropping flame retardant and water on the blaze and firefighters climbed the hillside to battle hot spots on the ground. No structures were ever threatened and no evacuations were issued in the city.

• In total, 32 air and truck units worked the operation, including personnel from Cal Fire Riverside County, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Palm Springs Police Department, and the Desert Water Agency. 
  
  
• Two firefighters reportedly suffered minor heat-related injuries.

What they’re saying: By early evening Monday, the hottest time of day, firefighters were battling not just the heat but also the wind.

• “The wind is every which way, which creates an issue for firefighters, because our safety is number one,” PSFD Capt. Ronald Skyberg said Monday evening. “But in addition to that, there’s structures down at the bottom of the hill. That is always going to be our concern. We’ve got crews in the right spot and we’re going to be able to play defensive mode on that.”

What’s next: Crews from the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management remain at the scene to finish extinguishing any remaining hot spots.

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BRIEFLY

🛝 New Baristo Park playground equipment coming

The Palm Springs City Council approved spending $383,000 to purchase and install new playground equipment at Baristo Park, replacing existing equipment that has reached the end of its useful life after 13 years.

• The new equipment will feature custom play areas designed for youth ages 2-5 and 5-12, as well as a two-bay swing set with integrated shade.
  
  
• Public Works staff collaborated with Parks and Recreation staff on the layout and playground equipment features, which were reviewed by the Park Enhancement Ad-Hoc Committee of the Parks and Recreation Committee for additional input and feedback.

Details: The specific colors of the playground equipment pieces and shade structure will be coordinated with staff and the ad-hoc committee.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Palm Springs International ShortFest
All day | Regal Cinemas Palm Springs
Running through June 24, the Palm Springs International ShortFest is one of the largest showcases of short-form cinema in North America, come enjoy hundreds of shorts from more than 50 countries. Check out the schedule here.

Desert Water Agency Board Meeting
8 a.m.  | DWA Operations Center
According to the agenda, board members will discuss the upcoming budget and rates and fees for domestic water service.

Sustainability Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Commissioners will hear a presentation about sustainability in Palm Springs parks and continue a discussion on the city’s ban on leaf blowers, according to the agenda.

Palm Springs Toastmasters
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Toastmasters Club
Learn to speak with confidence with the Palm Springs Toastmasters and practice with friends. Guests always welcome.

Palm Springs Power
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Stadium
The Palm Springs Power will take on the Inland Valley Pirates and tonight is Hispanic Heritage theme night. 

Open Mic Night
7:30 p.m. | Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Comedians, musicians, poets, and artists are all invited to a night of creative expression at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club.

SAVE THE DATE

• Rock the City free concert at Downtown Park on Wednesday.
  
  
• Red Cross Training on Household and Extreme Heat Preparedness on June 25.
  
  
• Parks and Recreation Master Planning Workshop at the Demuth Community Center on June 26.
  
  
• Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Fest at Margaritaville Resort on June 29.
  
  
• Palm Springs All American 4th of July at Sunrise Park on July 4.
  
  
• ONE-PS Lip-Sync Battle at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on July 7.

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AND FINALLY …

The Palm Springs International ShortFest starts today and there are plenty of films to choose from with 310 short films being screened from animated films, documentaries, and live action fiction.

Driving the news: Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, The ShortFest features highlights including “Alok” directed by Alex Hedison and executive produced by Jodie Foster, “Can” co-starring Mamoudou Athie, and “Fish Out of Water” directed by Francesca Scorsese.

How it works: Each film is 40 minutes or under and the lineup is curated thematically into programs of approximately 90 minutes, “Which [aims] to bring together a diverse cross section of contemporary cinema,” according to ShortFest representatives.

• Programs include “Parables, Fantasies & Fables,” “Father Figures,” and “Amazing Animation”

In addition: The ShortFest Forum returns with classes and panels featuring filmmakers and other members of the industry.

By the numbers: More than 6,300 short films from 130 countries and territories were submitted but 310 films from 63 countries were chosen to be shown, with many being world premiers. 

What to look for: On June 22 and 23, the festival organized a local spotlight program for fiction and documentary films, including “SHOOK”, a “Californian dark comedy, an idyllic weekend getaway is disrupted by a devastating earthquake,” and “Leading the Way” “A documentary showcasing the profound impact of Guide Dogs of the Desert, a non-profit organization that provides custom-trained guide dogs to the blind and visually impaired at no cost.”

Details: The festival begins today and runs through from June 24. Tickets can be found here.