Several spot fires totaling about an acre broke out Monday alongside Interstate 15 in Wildomar, damaging a garage and threatening homes before the flames were partially contained.
The non-injury fires were reported about 4:25 p.m. in the area of northbound I-15 and Bundy Canyon Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Multiple crews from Murrieta Fire & Rescue and the Riverside County Fire Department converged on the blazes, which were propelled by moderate afternoon winds, according to reports from the scene.
Flames spread into a residential area on Paradise Lane, just east of the freeway, where several houses were threatened. According to the county fire department, a detached garage caught fire and was damaged. However, crews prevented the flames from extending to houses.
The CHP shut down the Bundy Canyon on-ramp to northbound I-15, and firefighters parked their trucks in the freeway slow lane while battling the flames along the shoulder. A Sigalert was issued around 4:50 p.m. because of significant traffic tie-ups in the area.
There was no immediate word on how the fires started.