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.

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