Brush Fire Forces Partial Closure Of Interstate 15 In Temescal Valley

TEMESCAL VALLEY, CA — A brush fire that broke out Monday in the Temescal Valley, north of Lake Elsinore, has forced the closure of lanes on Interstate 15.

The #2 and #3 lanes of the northbound I-15 are closed from Indian Truck Trail to just north of the incident for approximately three hours, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department announced at 1 p.m.

The non-injury blaze, dubbed the Mayhew Fire, was reported at 11:40 a.m. in the area of Mayhew and Temescal Canyon roads, near northbound I-15.

The fire quickly scorched almost 20 acres and threatened properties, as well as freeway traffic, before crews were able to stop the blaze's forward spread.

There were concerns the flames might jump I-15, and the fire department requested the California Highway Patrol to shut down all northbound lanes.

At one point, the fire was spreading in the direction of homes and businesses, but crews established a defensive perimeter that prevented the flames from encroaching on them, according to reports from the scene.

There was no immediate word on what might have triggered the blaze.