A rapidly moving brush fire erupted Friday on the north edge of Banning, quickly scorching nearly 40 acres but not immediately threatening any structures.
The non-injury blaze was reported just before noon Friday in the area of Bluff Street and Mias Canyon Road, adjacent to the Banning Sportsman’s Club, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said that multiple engine crews from the county, Morongo Indian Reservation, Corona Fire Department and other agencies were sent to the location and encountered flames moving to the east at a rapid rate, into rugged terrain.
Three Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter were summoned to make runs on the brusher, which was approaching 40 acres in size by 1 p.m., according to reports from the scene.
Even when conditions are generally calm elsewhere, the San Gorgonio Pass is notorious for wind accelerations due to mountains on each side.
No evacuation orders or warnings appeared imminent.
The California Highway Patrol said motorists were calling 911 to report the blaze, but traffic on Interstate 10 about a mile to the south was not impacted.
There was no immediate word regarding what might have triggered the fire.