Brush Fire Scorches 20 Acres Near CA-74, Perris

PERRIS, CA — A brush fire that erupted Tuesday on a hillside in Good Hope scorched about 20 acres and threatened a few structures as Cal Fire aircraft slowed its spread, enabling hand crews to gradually work their way around the blaze.

The non-injury brusher was reported about 2:10 p.m. in the area of Sharp Road and Highway 74 in the unincorporated community, which is just southwest of Perris, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location, but lack of roads or wide trails going into the hills made the deployment a challenge, fire officials said.

About 2:35 p.m., four Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter began making runs on the fire, slowing its advance.

By 3 p.m., crews were beginning to dig lines around the perimeter of the brusher, according to reports from the scene.

Several structures, including at least one residential property, were in the path of the blaze, but no evacuation warnings were announced.

There was no immediate word on what might have triggered it. A Cal Fire prevention officer was requested to investigate whether the blaze was intentionally set.