A brush fire that erupted Monday along Highway 74 just east of Anza charred almost three acres before it was stopped.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 1:37 p.m. Monday on the south side of the highway, in the area of Sky View and Toro Vista drives, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a slow rate in the immediate vicinity of two or three homes in the rural area, which is about a mile from Pinyon Pines.
Firefighters quickly established hose lays and prevented the brusher from reaching the properties, halting its forward rate of spread at 2:25 p.m., according to reports from the scene.
Several Cal Fire water-dropping helicopters were requested to make targeted drops, as crews worked to completely encircle the blaze.
Full containment was expected by 4 p.m.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.