A brush fire broke out Thursday just west of Calimesa, blackening five acres in open space amid mild Santa Ana winds.
The non-injury blaze was reported about 3:20 p.m. Thursday in the area of San Timoteo Canyon and Woodhouse roads, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said that multiple engine crews were sent to the location, along with the Calimesa fire marshal, encountering flames moving at a slow to moderate rate, not immediately threatening homes or other structures.
Northeast winds blowing 10 to 15 mph were fanning the flames.
Two Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter were overhead the brusher within minutes while ground personnel attempted to find access roads, and the aircraft initiated a series of runs that slowed the fire down, according to reports from the scene.
The blaze was not in the vicinity of densely populated areas.
There was no immediate word on what might have triggered it.