A brush fire erupted Thursday in Anza, quickly charring an acre and threatening several homes before crews reached the location.
The blaze was reported at 1:50 p.m. in the area of Mitchell Road and Louise Avenue, roughly a half-mile north of Highway 371, 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 vegetation.
Two homes were in the vicinity of the fire, and firefighters immediately deployed for structure protection, according to reports from the scene.
A Cal Fire air tanker and water-dropping helicopter were summoned to make runs on the brusher, which appeared to be slowing as of 2:15 p.m.
There was no immediate word on what might have triggered the blaze.