Vehicle Fire Spreads To Brush Near Lake Mathews

LAKE MATHEWS, CA — A vehicle fire spread into surrounding vegetation Tuesday less than a mile west of Lake Mathews before it was stopped.

The non-injury blaze was reported at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Eagle Canyon and Cajalco roads, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said multiple engine crews from the county and Corona Fire Department were sent to the location and encountered flames extending from the car into medium brush, moving at a slow rate with no structures in the immediate vicinity.

Cal Fire aircraft were initially requested, but after firefighters established hose lays, the tankers were canceled.

At 3:30 p.m., the fire's forward rate of spread was stopped, and the brusher was near full containment minutes later, according to reports from the scene.

The estimated acreage burned was about two acres, officials said.

It was unclear how the vehicle caught fire, and whether it had been abandoned at the location.

An investigation was underway Tuesday afternoon.