By around 5 p.m., firefighters said they had stopped the forward rate of spread of the Flats Fire, but weather and terrain issues continue to remain challenges.
Containment was estimated at 10% by 6:30 p.m.
Evacuation warnings were also issued for the nearby communities of Pinyon Pines and Alpine Village.
Firefighters say at least two homes were destroyed and three were damaged, in addition to three damaged outbuildings.
One firefighter was injured and was transported for medical evaluation.
Flats Fire: 150-acre brush fire prompts mandatory evacuation order for Pinyon Crest area
About 400 firefighters were assigned to battle the flames.
Flames were first reported about 11:05 a.m. west of the Pinyon Flat campground in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument about eight miles south of Palm Desert, according to the California Highway Patrol.
U.S. Forest Service and Riverside County firefighters responded to the fire, which was spreading at a moderate rate and jumped State Route 74 in a northeasterly direction.
State Route 74 was shut down in both directions between Palowet and Ribbonwood drives.
The public is advised to avoid the area.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
City News Service contributed to this report.