A brush fire that erupted Monday in the hills south of Banning charred 23 acres at the foot of the San Bernardino National Forest before Cal Fire air crews slowed its advance.
The non-injury blaze was reported just after noon Monday in the area of Mt. Edna Road and Highway 243, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location, joined by four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters that initiated runs on the brusher at 12:30 p.m.
No homes or other structures were immediately threatened.
The fire retardant and water drops significantly slowed the brusher’s rate of spread, enabling ground crews to begin establishing tentative containment lines shortly before 2 p.m.
The California Highway Patrol did not close Highway 243.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.