A brush fire that erupted just south of Diamond Valley Lake in Winchester Thursday afternoon charred 300 acres in roughly three hours, destroyed an outbuilding and threatened multiple residences as crews attempted to encircle it.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 2:20 p.m. in the 34000 block of Rawson Road, near Patterson Street, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
An agency spokeswoman said 23 engine crews and four hand crews, numbering close to 100 fire personnel, were sent to the location and encountered fast-moving flames amid light to moderate winds.
A vacant storage building was consumed by the brusher, which approached six homes along Hidden Falls and Vista roads, prompting emergency officials to order that all of the properties be evacuated, according to the fire department.
Firefighters from the Riverside and Hemet fire departments, March Air Reserve Base Fire Department and Murrieta Fire Protection District were sent to assist in battling the blaze. Four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters were also making runs on the flames, but as of 4:30 p.m., there was no containment.
Winds were blowing 10 to 15 mph out of the west, with relative humidity below 40 percent, according to area weather reports.
There was no word on what triggered the blaze.