RivCo Firefighters Gain Some Control Over Wildfire Off 79 South: See Fire Perimeter

TEMECULA, CA — Fire crews responded to a wildfire that broke out in the Temecula area Thursday morning. The fire had charred 19 acres by 2:30 p.m., and crews gained ground, reaching at least 20 percent containment hours after it began.

The fire was initially reported at 9:30 a.m. as a fast-moving blaze that sparked in the area of Pauba Road and Winner Circle, Riverside County Fire Department/Cal Fire spokesperson Maggie Cline De La Rosa told Patch.

The blaze, burning in the hills near Galway Downs Equestrian Center, was dubbed the "Madera" fire. Flames charred their way through "light flashy fuels," Cline De La Rosa said. Fire crews battled the wildfire from the air and ground.

Both aircraft and dozers began demobilizing midday, Cal Fire said; however, hand crews were expected to remain committed for the next 10 hours.

No other information was immediately available.

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