A wildfire that broke out Thursday on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest near Corona quickly spread in dry timber, scorching five acres in less than an hour and threatening a residence.
The non-injury blaze was reported shortly after 3 p.m. in the area of Skyline Drive and Burrero Way, near the entrance to a popular hiking spot, according to the Corona Fire Department.
Because the area is technically part of unincorporated Riverside County, the county fire department took command at the scene. More than two dozen engine crews from the county, Corona, Riverside and the U.S. Forest Service converged on the location, with 230 personnel working to contain the brusher, according to a county fire department spokeswoman.
A house on Trudy Way was in the path of the fire, and crews established a protective shield around the property, sparing it from damage, according to reports from the scene.
A half-dozen air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters were summoned to make runs on the wildfire, which was spreading through vegetation at a moderate rate amid light winds, according to county officials.
Smoke could be seen from the Riverside (91) Freeway to the north and Interstate 15 to the east, prompting multiple calls to the California Highway Patrol.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.