Fire Scorches Approximately 80 Acres East Of Temecula

AGUANGA, CA — Hundreds of firefighters were sent to the scene of a vegetation fire that broke out Tuesday east of the Temecula area, in the community of Aguanga, the Riverside County Fire Department reports. The so-called Meadow Fire was first reported about 12:45 p.m. in the area of Lake Riverside Drive and state Route 371, near the Cahuilla Indian Reservation. As of 6 p.m., it had burned an estimated 80 acres.

The fire initially burned at a moderate rate of spread, according to the fire department.

However, crews have since stopped the forward rate of spread. It was considered 60 percent contained by the end of the day.

An agency spokeswoman said 21 engine crews and seven hand crews — numbering 217 personnel — were sent to the location and encountered flames burning through light grass, in an open field.

Four Cal Fire air tankers and four water-dropping helicopters were also called in to make runs on the blaze, according to the fire department.

Aerial photos shared by the fire department showed the blaze put up a large plume of smoke in the area.

The fire did not threaten any homes or other structures. It's not yet clear how it started.

— City News Service contributed to this report