A wildfire broke out late Friday afternoon in a canyon north of Moreno Valley, scorching six acres in less than an hour and forcing road closures as it expanded.
The non-injury blaze was reported about 4 p.m. along Redlands Boulevard, roughly two miles south of San Timoteo Canyon Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate to the northeast through heavy vegetation. A battalion chief at the scene immediately requested five Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters to make runs on the brusher.
No homes or other structures were immediately threatened, and there was no immediate word on a possible cause of the fire.
Sheriff’s deputies closed down Redlands Boulevard between San Timoteo and Ironwood Avenue to the south for public safety.