An intense mulch fire that broke out Thursday just west of Perris scorched nearly an acre and burned into deep waste piles, keeping firefighters busy but not causing any injuries.
The blaze was reported shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday in the 21000 block of Yucca Road, near Withers Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said that multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames raging in the mulch dump in the vicinity of several properties.
Crews established hose lays, encircling the site, preventing the flames from spreading beyond it, officials said.
About three-quarters of an acre had burned by 11 a.m.
An excavator was requested to assist with smothering the flaming waste, which was estimated to be about 15 feet deep.
“Due to the size of the mulch pile, resources were expected to remain for approximately six to eight hours, working on containment and overhaul,” according to a fire department statement.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.