Moreno Valley Brush Fire Shuts Down 1 Lane on 60 Freeway

Photos courtesy of Capt. Lucas Spelman/Calfire Riverside

By City News Service

A five-acre brush fire sent a plume of smoke into the air near Moreno Valley on Monday and forced the closure of one lane on the eastbound Moreno Valley (60) Freeway, causing a miles-long traffic backup.

The fire was reported shortly before 10 a.m. south of the 60 Freeway west of Jack Rabbit Trail between Beaumont and Moreno Valley, according to Cal Fire. The fire, initially believed to be about a half-acre, spread through light vegetation to reach about five acres.

The forward spread of the blaze was halted around 11 a.m., and fire officials declared an hour later that the blaze was fully contained.

About 120 firefighters were dispatched to the scene to attack the blaze, along with three water-dropping aircraft. No injuries were reported. The cause of the blaze remained under investigation.

One eastbound lane of the 60 Freeway was closed to accommodate fire crews. Traffic was reported to be backed up by as much as two miles.