A fire broke out Thursday on the north edge of the Santa Ana River bottom in Jurupa Valley, scorching about a half-acre of heavy brush but not immediately threatening any homes.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 1 p.m. near the intersection of 64th and Corey streets, on the south end of the city, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said that multiple engine crews from the county and Corona Fire Department were sent to the location, but because the fire was deep in vegetation, firefighters could not immediately reach it, using trails to access the area.
Flames were moving at a slow rate as crews worked to establish containment lines, according to reports from the scene.
Using specialized, Type 3 fire engines, firefighters were able to stretch hoses down to the fire lines.
Sheriff’s deputies were requested to shut down access to the intersections of 64th and Corey and 63rd and Downey streets, due to the hose lays, officials said.
No homes or structures were in the fire’s path.
There was no word on what might have triggered the blaze. Transients often set up encampments along the river bottom year-round, and warming, cooking and debris fires are common.
Both the city of Riverside and county recently implemented regulations prohibiting use of the space by the homeless.