A brush fire that has scorched 638 acres north of Homeland, destroying some outbuildings and other structures, remained 95% contained Monday.
The fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday on a hillside in the area of Verona and Juniper Springs Roads, north of Highway 74, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. It was driven by strong winds and prompted evacuation warnings.
All evacuation warnings were lifted Saturday afternoon, but residents and people traveling through the area were advised to use caution. Crews predicted remaining in the area over the next several days to ensure roadway and community safety.
Suppression efforts remained ongoing Monday as crews continue reinforcing containment lines and checking for remaining heat sources or potential rekindles.
Some 518 personnel, 37 engines, 27 hand crews and 14 water tenders were assigned to the fire including engine and hand crews from the Riverside County, Hemet and Soboba Tribal fire departments.
One firefighter suffered unspecified minor injuries and was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment.
Firefighters established a defensive perimeter Tuesday and prevented the fire from impacting occupied homes, but outbuildings and storage facilities in the area were consumed by the fire, according to reports from the scene. The exact number couldn’t be confirmed.
After a series of drops by Cal Fire air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, the fire’s forward rate of spread was halted at 3:40 p.m., and only one chopper remained overhead late Tuesday afternoon, making targeted drops.
However, Cal Fire announced later Tuesday that the fire jumped control lines and was burning “at a critical rate of spread.” The agency said there was no diversion order for the four air tankers on scene.
Damage inspection teams were on scene Thursday conducting ongoing assessments of impacted areas, the department announced.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.