Firefighters made progress Saturday at putting out a wildfire that broke out on a hillside just north of Highway 371 in Anza, scorching 55 acres and briefly threatening homes on the Cahuilla Indian Reservation, fire officials said Saturday.
Firefighters have been able to clear a line of vegetation around 90% of the fire, and keep it from burning more acreage, the Riverside County Fire Department said.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 3:25 p.m. Friday in the area of Indian Road and Deer Mountain Way, fire officials said.
Staff at the nearby Cahuilla Indian Casino were the first to spot the flames and called 911.
The fire department said 26 engine crews and nine hand crews — more than 250 personnel — went to the scene and encountered flames burning at a moderate rate to the north, approaching power lines and a ranch.
Because the fire was burning on a slope with no vehicle access, five Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters were summoned to make runs on the fire.
They established retardant lines that prevented the fire from jumping a dirt road.
However, propelled by a stiff desert breeze, the fire picked up speed and headed toward homes on the edge of the reservation. Several residents voluntarily evacuated, according to reports from the scene.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.