Ortega Highway Brush Fire Quickly Contained

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A brush fire that erupted Wednesday on a hillside near the Ortega (74) Highway west of Lake Elsinore scorched less than a quarter-acre before crews stopped it.

The non-injury blaze was reported about 4:40 p.m. on the south side of the highway, near Vista Road, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Multiple engine crews from the county and U.S. Forest Service were sent to the location and encountered flames confined to a small area, stalled for lack of wind.

Firefighters quickly encircled the brusher, stopping its forward rate of spread just after 5 p.m., according to reports from the scene.

It was fully contained by 5:10 p.m.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.