A trash fire that extended into brush and spread across a hillside Tuesday southeast of Lake Mathews scorched almost 50 acres before air and ground crews slowed its advance.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Wood and Cajalco roads, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said multiple county and city of Riverside engine and hand crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving rapidly over a hill, in the immediate vicinity of scattered homes.
Four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters initiated runs on the brusher a short time later, significantly slowing its forward progress, according to reports from the scene.
Sheriff’s deputies shut down several roads in the area for public safety, including segments of Cajalco, Salter Road, Barton and Riders streets.
The area is lightly populated, but evacuation orders and warnings were issued for homes and agricultural businesses along those streets.
The California Highway Patrol initially fielded 911 calls regarding the blaze, which callers said started in a rubbish pile, possibly where a resident was trying to clear space.
Crews were taking advantage of numerous dirt roads and trails within the fire zone, utilizing them as natural fire breaks.