A wind-driven brush fire that erupted Monday south of Highway 371 in Aguanga scorched roughly 50 acres and damaged a structure despite the work of Cal Fire aircraft and ground crews to get ahead of the flames.
The non-injury “Nixon Fire” was reported at 12:28 p.m. in the area of Richard Nixon Boulevard and Tule Peak Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said multiple engine and hand crews from the county, Cal Fire-San Diego County and other agencies were sent to the location and encountered flames burning at a rapid rate to the east through medium brush.
Five Cal Fire air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters initiated runs on the brusher just before 1 p.m., initially slowing its advance before it accelerated again, according to reports from the scene.
The air drops prevented the flames from reaching a house on Tule Peak. However, an outbuilding was consumed.
An evacuation order was implemented for the scattered properties south of Richard Nixon and east of Tule Peak, and sheriff’s deputies were going door-to-door, though properties in the remote area are spaced acres apart.
Deputies shut down Tule Valley Road south of Tule Peak for public safety.
There was no immediate word regarding how the blaze started.