This is what that Lake Mathews-area fire looked like at about 6 pm; view from Van Buren Blvd heading west.#RivCoFire pic.twitter.com/IMHb7VKuia
— RivCO animalSERVICES (@helpinRIVcoPETS) July 5, 2017
A wildlands fire that broke out shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday near Lake Mathews has grown to 390 acres and was 50 percent contained as of 10 p.m.
Dubbed the Eagle Fire, the blaze started on Tin Mine Road and La Sierra Avenue, according to a report from Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann.
As of 6:15 p.m., officials closed Cajalco Road between El Sobrante, La Sierra, Temescal and La Sierra.
There are no immediate reports of structure threats.
Air tankers, helicopters and more than 200 firefighters are battling the blaze, Hagemann reported.
However, according to a tweet from Riverside Police Department’s Air Support Unit, air tankers were temporarily grounded due to a drone being flown over the fire.
@CALFIRERRU had to temporarily ground their tankers due to a drone being flown over the fire near Lake Mathews and called us in to assist. pic.twitter.com/WwrJhFyq9e
— RPD Air Support (@RPDAir1) July 5, 2017
Temperatures in the area are high, with the mercury reaching near 100 degrees Tuesday and overnight lows expected to drop into the high 60s. Triple-digit heat is forecast Wednesday.
There is no word on what may have sparked the blaze.
Hagemann reported that crews expect to have full containment on the fire around noon Wednesday.
Updated July 4, 2017 at 10:06 p.m.
–Staff