Brush Fire Erupts East Of Temecula

AGUANGA, CA — A brush fire that erupted Wednesday just south of Highway 371 in Aguanga burned close to 5 acres and changed directions multiple times before crews gained the upper hand.

The non-injury Homestead Fire was reported at about 12:10 p.m. along Homestead Road, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said multiple engine and hand crews from the county were sent to the location, preceded by Cal Fire aircraft, encountering flames moving at a moderate rate, initially to the southeast.

The brusher's direction changed to due south, then to the west and then to southeast again by 1:30 p.m., according to officials at the scene.

Sheriff's deputies conducted precautionary evacuations along Trailmaster Drive, near Big Sky Drive, officials said.

Only a few properties were briefly in the path of the brusher, which posed an immediate threat to an outbuilding. No damage was reported, and no roads were closed.

Three Cal Fire air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters made a series of runs on the blaze, slowing its advance. As of 1:55 p.m., the forward rate was stopped, and firefighters secured hose lines around most of the brusher.

All Cal Fire aircraft cleared the area shortly after 2 p.m.

The fire started less than a mile northeast of where the 2,300-acre Bonny Fire broke out last month. That fire was contained during the first week of this month.

The cause of the Homestead Fire was under investigation.