A brush fire that erupted Monday in Mead Valley scorched roughly 125 acres and threatened multiple rural properties amid increasing winds, complicating efforts by Cal Fire air operations to slow the brusher.
The non-injury Juniper Fire was reported at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Ann Way and Juniper Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said multiple engine and hand crews from the county and surrounding agencies were sent to the location, encountering flames moving at a moderate rate amid light brush to the southeast.
Mandatory evacuations were in effect south of Idaleona Road and north of Stardust Lane. Firefighters established defensive perimeters around several homes, where sheds, outbuildings and numerous abandoned vehicles were parked, according to reports from the scene.
Winds were blowing 10 to 15 mph, gusting to 20 mph, officials said.
Four Cal Fire air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters were making runs on the brusher as of 12:50 p.m.
Sheriff’s deputies were enforcing traffic controls for public safety along Idaleona and Stardust.
The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known.