Brush Fire Scorches 35 Acres Near Lake Mathews Monday: 70% Contained

LAKE MATHEWS, CA —The forward rate of spread on that brush fire burning along the north end of Lake Mathews has been stopped, according to officials at the scene. The brush fire that erupted Monday on the north end of Lake Mathews, just south of Riverside, quickly spread to 34.5 acres amid stiff Santa Ana winds, but Cal Fire air tankers initiated drops that slowed the brusher's advance. Firefighters say they have reached 70 percent containment as of 2:30 p.m.

The non-injury blaze was reported at 10:40 a.m. in the area of La Sierra Avenue and El Sobrante Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said that multiple engine and hand crews from the county, Corona Fire Department and other agencies were sent to the location and encountered flames moving rapidly across dry grass, with northerly winds gusting over 20 mph.

Sheriff's deputies shut down La Sierra in both directions for public safety.

Three Cal Fire air tankers were summoned and began making runs on the brusher about 11:15 a.m. The air crews focused on the head of the blaze and any fires spotting ahead of it, dropping retardant that prevented the flames from jumping La Sierra.

The fire was situated in open space but headed in the direction of two properties on the northwest side of the lake, according to reports from the scene. A mandatory evacuation order was issued for the remotely located homes.

There was no immediate word on how the fire started.