A brush fire erupted Tuesday in the hills west of Murrieta, quickly charring nearly 80 acres and threatening several rural properties.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Via Volcano and Tenaja roads, in the unincorporated community of De Luz, along the boundary of the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve, 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 moderate rate through medium to heavy brush.
Three Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters were summoned to the location and initiated drops just after 3 p.m.
Residences are spread throughout the area on large lots, sometimes several acres wide, mostly off dirt roads
Sheriff’s deputies shut down Tenaja west of Via Volcano for public safety.
Evacuation warnings and orders were anticipated.
There was no immediate word on what might have triggered the brusher.