Brush Fire Halted East Of Murrieta, Temecula

SAGE, CA — A brush fire that broke out Tuesday in Sage, less than a mile west of the San Bernardino National Forest, scorched roughly five acres before it was stopped.

The non-injury blaze was reported at about 1:25 p.m. in the area of Stanley and Red Mountain roads, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving southeast at a moderate rate through medium vegetation.

Two properties were in the path of the brusher, but Cal Fire air tankers initiated runs that prevented the flames from reaching the structures, according to reports from the scene.

By 2:50 p.m., three tankers and a water-dropping helicopter had succeeded in halting the fire's spread toward the national forest, only a half-mile away.

Ground crews were making progress establishing lines around the blaze and were expected to achieve full containment by 4 p.m.

Sheriff's deputies shut down the intersection of Stanley and Sage roads for public safety.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.

—City News Service

ORIGINAL POST:

SAGE, CA — A brush fire was burning Tuesday east of Murrieta and Temecula, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The 5-acre blaze, dubbed the Stanley Fire, was reported at 1:26 p.m. in the area of Stanley and Red Mountain roads in Sage, the agency said.

An air response was requested.

The area is remote and sparsely populated. There were no immediate reports of injuries or evacuations.

Sheriff's deputies were expected to shut down the intersection of Stanley and Sage roads for public safety.

There was no immediate word on how the blaze might have started.

—Toni McAllister