348-Acre Brush Fire Near San Jacinto At 35% Containment

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A brush fire that erupted Monday just north of San Jacinto swept over hillsides, scorching roughly 348 acres and threatening homes and agricultural operations, prompting evacuations.

The non-injury blaze dubbed the Ramona fire was reported just after 2 p.m. in the area of the Ramona Expressway and North Warren Road, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

As of 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, containment on the blaze was at 35 percent, according to the agency.

"Firefighters will remain on-scene throughout the day working on continued containment and control. Please continue to use caution in the fire area as apparatus and personnel are working," according to Tuesday morning tweet from the agency.

Multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location Monday and encountered flames burning along barren hillsides, propelled by southwesterly winds.

Several Cal Fire air tankers and water-dropping helicopters from nearby Hemet-Ryan Airport made runs on the brusher through the afternoon.

As the flames moved west, they approached a residential area abutted by dairy farms, leading fire personnel to implement mandatory evacuations in the neighborhood bounded by Cottonwood Avenue to the south, Upperline Avenue to the north, Beech Street to the west and Warren Road to the east.

At 5:45 p.m. Monday, flames were within 100 feet of houses on Upperline, and Cal Fire air tankers were summoned to drop retardant and strengthen defensive lines, according to reports from the scene.

An evacuation warning was issued to residents and agricultural operators within the area bounded by Cottonwood to the south, Esplanade Avenue to the north, Beech to the west and Warren to the east. Those evacuation orders were lifted at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, and residents were permitted to return to their homes, according to the fire department.

An evacuation center was opened at Tahquitz High School, 4425 Titan Trail in Hemet.

Warren was closed between the Expressway and Esplanade, with all north- and southbound traffic being diverted to the east, for public safety.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

—City News Service and Patch editor Toni McAllister contributed to this report.

EARLIER POST:

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Firefighters were working to contain a vegetation blaze that broke out west of San Jacinto Monday afternoon.

The brusher dubbed the Ramona fire was burning near the Ramona Expressway and Warren Road.

At last report from Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, the blaze had charred 10 acres and was burning at a "moderate rate of speed."

No injuries or evacuations were reported. There was no word on road closures.

In addition to firefighters on the ground, aircraft were being used to contain the blaze.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The article will be updated as information becomes available.

—Toni McAllister