Brush Fire Burns In Mountains South Of Banning, Beaumont

MOUNTAIN CENTER, CA — A wildfire broke out Thursday in the San Bernardino National Forest north of Mountain Center, burning in heavy vegetation but not threatening any properties.

For the latest information on this and other fires, read: Firefighters Gain Upper Hand On 3 RivCo Blazes: See Photos

The blaze was reported about 3:15 p.m. in the area of Highway 243 and Saunders Meadow Road, according to the California Highway Patrol and U.S. Forest Service.

USFS spokesman Gus Bahena told City News Service that multiple Forest Service engine crews, supported by crews from the Idyllwild Fire Protection District, were sent to the location, but they were not initially able to ascertain the approximate dimensions of the blaze due to the terrain.

No Cal Fire aircraft or ground crews were requested to assist as of 4:45 p.m.

The blaze was in heavy vegetation, not in the immediate vicinity of a populated area, according to latitude and longitude coordinates provided by public safety officials.

There was no immediate word on how the fire started.

Another blaze, dubbed the Bonny Fire, was burning Thursday in Aguanga, east of Temecula. Read more here. Late afternoon Thursday, a third blaze broke out in Banning. Read more here.