Brush Fire Burns Along I-15 In Wildomar

WILDOMAR, CA — Riverside County fire crews were working to contain a brush fire along northbound Interstate 15, between Baxter and Clinton Keith roads, in Wildomar on Tuesday evening. The fire was first reported around 5:30 p.m., with flames visible from the freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames burning into a field, in the direction of properties on Peggy Lane, according to reports from the scene.

As of 6:30 p.m., the fire had burned away from the roadway, but grown to an estimated five or six acres, according to CHP and fire reports. However, fire officials tell the forward spread of the fire was stopped around that time.

The California Highway Patrol briefly closed the slow lane on the northbound side of the freeway, but all firefighting equipment was moved onto the shoulder, and all lanes were available for rush-hour traffic. However, traffic reports still indicated a major slow-down in the area.

Crews were expected to remain in the area until around 8:30 p.m. for cleanup.

There was no word on what triggered the blaze.

— City News Service contributed to this report