A brush fire that erupted Tuesday on a hillside in Good Hope scorched over 20 acres and threatened a few structures before Cal Fire aircraft halted its advance, enabling crews to establish tentative containment lines.
The non-injury blaze was reported at about 2:10 p.m. in the area of Sharp Road and Highway 74 in the unincorporated community, which is just southwest of Perris, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location, but lack of roads or wide trails going into the hills made the deployment a challenge.
At about 2:35 p.m., four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters began making runs on the fire, slowing its advance.
Just before 4 p.m., the fire’s forward rate of spread was stopped. As of 5:15 p.m., the total number of acres burned was mapped at 23, and the fire was nearly 50% contained, according to the fire department.
Hand crews were making steady progress encircling the blaze, which briefly threatened several structures, including at least one residential property. No evacuations were necessary.
Full containment was anticipated overnight.
There was no immediate word on what might have triggered the blaze. A Cal Fire prevention officer was requested to investigate whether it was intentionally set.