Smoke advisory extended in Coachella Valley due to mulch fire

THERMAL (CNS) - The South Coast Air Quality Management District again extended a smoke advisory on Sunday for portions of the Coachella Valley in eastern Riverside County due to a 35-acre debris fire burning in Thermal. The advisory will be in effect through Monday afternoon and applies to Thermal, La Quinta, Mecca and communities near the Salton Sea. The fire has been burning since Monday near 66th Avenue and Martinez Road at the Sun Valley Recycling Center. The Riverside County Fire Department initially responded to the fire but the Bureau of Indian Affairs is now the lead agency. Fire crews are at the scene and appear to be letting the fuel burn itself out. SCAQMD officials said they expect the fire to burn at least through Sunday. Wind was forecast to blow from the nort