A wind-driven brush fire that erupted Monday south of Highway 371 in Aguanga quickly burned five acres and threatened several homes before Cal Fire aircraft slowed it down.
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 were sent to the location and encountered flames burning at a rapid rate to the east through medium brush.
Four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters were summoned and initiated runs on the brusher just before 1 p.m., slowing its advance, according to reports from the scene.
The air drops prevented the flames from reaching a house and associated structures on Tule Peak.
An evacuation order was implemented for the scattered properties south of Richard Nixon and east of Tule Peak. Sheriff’s deputies were expected to implement road closures in the area.
There was no immediate word regarding how the blaze started.