A brush fire that broke out Friday in Meadowbrook charred nearly 150 acres on hillsides north of Highway 74 until Cal Fire aircraft operations significantly slowed its advance.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 4:20 p.m. Friday in the area of Vista and Telford avenues, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said multiple engine and hand crews from the county, Corona Fire Department, Murrieta Fire & Rescue and other agencies were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate along low-lying hills west of homes scattered throughout the area.
At least four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters initiated runs on the brusher at 4:40 p.m., enabling crews to establish tentative containment lines on the west and north sides of the brusher.
As of 5:40 p.m., the blaze was mapped at 141 acres.
The flames were advancing to the southeast, and there were initial concerns it might impact Highway 74. However, due to the aircraft drops and quick work of bulldozer operators, firefighters were able to make major progress encircling the brusher, according to officials at the scene.
Evacuation warnings were possible for residences along Vista.
Sheriff’s deputies implemented closures on nearby dirt roads because of people in off-road vehicles interfering with operations.
The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known.