MEAD VALLEY — A brush fire broke out Wednesday on a hillside in Mead Valley, threatening several homes.
The blaze was reported at 4:08 p.m. in the area of Day Street and Cajalco Road, west of the 215 Freeway, according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.
By 4:45 p.m. the fire was measured at 25 acres with 0% containment. By 6 p.m. the fire was measured at 56 acres with no containment, but its forward rate of spread was stopped, Cal Fire/Riverside said. By 7:30 p.m., 10% containment had been achieved. A social media post showed aircraft hitting the fire with retardant and water drops.
The agency said multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames “moving at a critical rate” through medium brush amid stiff southwesterly winds.
Firefighters immediately deployed to establish protective screens around two properties in the path of the brusher.
Four Cal Fire air tankers and two helicopters were summoned to the blaze, according to officials at the scene.
There was no immediate word regarding how the fire might have started.
The Press-Enterprise staff contributed to this story.
