A house fire that broke out Wednesday west of Menifee expanded into surrounding vegetation, damaging residential properties and prompting evacuations.
The blaze was reported at 4:10 p.m. Wednesday at 23670 Cassandra Drive, near Quail Place, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said multiple engine crews from the county and Murrieta Fire & Rescue were sent to the location and encountered flames raging in one house, with electrical lines collapsed.
The fire extended into surrounding brush and burned another structure, possibly an outbuilding, according to reports from the scene.
Homes between Cassandra and La Bertha Lane were threatened as late-afternoon winds increased across the Menifee Valley.
Occupants of several homes reportedly evacuated voluntarily.
A Cal Fire water-dropping helicopter was initially summoned, but a battalion chief canceled the aircraft due to concerns about drops potentially causing significant damage to the fragile structures at the location.
There was no immediate word regarding how the fire might have started.