A wind-driven brush fire scorched 42 acres in Blythe and damaged three homes before being fully contained by firefighters, who remained on scene Friday to guard against any flare-ups.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 2:35 p.m. Thursday in the 10000 block of 10th Avenue, near Seventh Street, according to the Riverside County Fire Department, which sent about 70 firefighters to the scene.
The fire burned through heavy vegetation, driven by wind, spreading from 10 to about 40 acres by 6:45 p.m. Firefighters were able to fully contain the blaze by about 8 p.m.
Firefighters remained on scene overnight looking for hot spots, and were expected to continue that work throughout the day.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.