A brush fire that burned nearly 50 acres and prompted evacuations in Mead Valley has been fully contained, authorities said Thursday.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Rider Street and Seaton Avenue, just west of Interstate 215, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The fire was contained at approximately 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, and one patrol and one engine remained on scene Thursday morning to monitor for hotspots, the department said.
Four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters responded and began dropping retardant shortly before 6 p.m., which slowed the fire’s spread and allowed ground crews to get a partial line in front of the brusher.
Mandatory evacuations and warnings for homes along Old Elsinore Road have since been lifted.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.