Lightning Strike Triggers Brush Fire East Of Temecula

AGUANGA, CA — A lightning strike on a ridge line just inside the San Bernardino National Forest in Aguanga triggered an acre-wide brush fire Monday that Cal Fire aircraft quickly stopped.

The non-injury blaze was reported at 4:35 p.m. Monday east of Reed Valley Road, near Regonia Street, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said two Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters were sent to the location just as thunderstorm cells rolled to the west, providing clearer conditions.

No homes or other structures were threatened.

The aircraft made a series of runs that stopped the fire's rate of spread by 5:30 p.m.

Ground crews, relying on dirt roads turned muddy from the monsoonal downpours, reached the area shortly after 5 p.m. and gradually began establishing containment lines.

The slow-moving fire was expected to be knocked down before nightfall.