MEAD VALLEY, CA — Fire crews continued to extinguish hot spots in Mead Valley after a brush fire erupted Tuesday and scorched 140 acres before its progress was stopped, fire officials said.
The blaze was 58 percent contained around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
"Crews were successful in extending the containment lines around the fire," fire officials said Tuesday night.
The fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday near Rider Street and Seaton Avenue, less than a mile west of Interstate 215, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Multiple engine and hand crews from the county, Pechanga Tribal Fire Department and other agencies were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate through medium brush, officials said.
RELATED: Crews Make Progress On Brush Fire Burning Near 215 Freeway In Riverside County, See Map
Four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters began runs on the fire shortly before 2 p.m., shutting off some of its burn potential across open ground.
Flames were concentrated in uninhabited space bounded by roads between an industrial area to the east and residential properties to the west and north.
The fire's rate of spread was halted at 4:25 p.m., and by 5 p.m., it was 5 percent contained, according to fire Capt. John Clingingsmith.
All aircraft cleared the location just before 5 p.m.
Sheriff's deputies shut down westbound Rider Street from Harvill Avenue, along with westbound Orange Avenue from Harvill Avenue, for public safety. The streets were reopened by 6:15 p.m.
A previous brush fire occurred in the same general area last month and was contained within an hour.
The cause of the current fire wasn't immediately known.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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