A brush fire that broke out Friday in Mead Valley charred nearly 10 acres, threatening properties, before Cal Fire aircraft slowed its advance.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 2:57 p.m. Friday in the area of Rider and Day streets, roughly a mile west of Interstate 215, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency stated that multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate to the north in light vegetation.
Southwest winds gusting to 15 mph propelled the brusher in the direction of several residences, and mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the scattered homes between Day Street to the west and Decker Road to the east, according to reports from the scene.
Two Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters were summoned and initiated runs on the blaze at 3:25 p.m. The initial drops prevented the flames from extending toward at least one residence.
Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers implemented road closures in the immediate area for public safety.
There was no immediate word on what might have triggered the blaze.