Brush Fire Breaks Out East Of Temecula

ANZA, CA — Billowing smoke Wednesday in the hills between Palm Desert and Temecula was due to a 12-acre brush fire.

The blaze was reported at 12:51 p.m. in the 44800 block of Chapman Road, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The blaze — dubbed the Chapman Fire — was initially "burning at a dangerous rate of spread," the agency said.

Additional air and ground resources were summoned. By approximately 3 p.m., the fire department reported crews were making "good progress on containment."

At about 4 p.m., the blaze's forward spread was halted.

The fire department said Anza Electric Cooperative was on the scene, and three homes would be without power for approximately one day.

There were no reports of structure damage or injuries.

Crews are expected to remain on scene well into Wednesday night, the fire department announced.

Riverside County is currently under an excessive heat warning, and an air quality alert is in effect. At 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, the temperature in Anza was 97 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.