A brush fire that erupted Friday near the junction of Highways 79 and 371 in Aguanga scorched just over an acre and prompted closure of the interchange before the fire was stopped.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 2:20 p.m. near Tule Creek, where the two state routes meet, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said that multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate amid light winds to the east.
Two Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter initiated runs on the brusher at 2:40 p.m., bringing its forward rate of spread to a halt 20 minutes later.
California Highway Patrol officers and sheriff’s deputies shut down the highway interchange for public safety, turning vehicles around.
As of 3:35 p.m., the brusher was fully contained at 1.25 acres, according to officials at the scene.
The highway junction was reopened moments later.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.