A brush fire that erupted Friday just east of Temecula scorched about three acres and approached Highway 79 in the vicinity of homes before Cal Fire aircraft slowed its advance, enabling crews to establish tentative containment lines.
The non-injury blaze was reported just before 3 p.m. Friday in the area of Morgan Hill Drive and Coppola Street, along Temecula Creek, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said that multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving northeast at a moderate rate through medium brush.
Three Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters immediately initiated drops to prevent the brusher from jumping Highway 79, which California Highway Patrol officers and sheriff’s deputies stood ready to shut down, but it was never required.
As of 4:30 p.m., all aircraft operations had ceased, and firefighters were tying up gaps, making steady progress fortifying containment lines, according to reports from the scene.
No evacuation orders or warnings were declared.
Full containment of the brusher was expected by nightfall.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.