Wildfire Breaks Out Near Perris School

PERRIS, CA — A brush fire burned vegetation and damaged a building in a field behind Val Verde Elementary School in Perris Thursday, but the flames did not threaten the campus.

The fire was reported just before 1:30 p.m. in the 400 block of West Placentia Avenue, said Jody Hagemann of the Riverside County Fire Department. More than two dozen firefighters were sent to the scene, and by 3:10 p.m., fire officials reported that the fire was holding at five acres.

"Damage occurred to an outbuilding (shed) and some fencing," Hagemann said.

Students and staff at Val Verde Elementary went into a precautionary "shelter in place" mode when the fire erupted, but students were released at the normal time and the campus was not endangered, district officials said.

Firefighters expected to remain on scene until approximately 5:15 p.m.

More #PlaentiaFire photos, courtesy of CAL FIRE/RCOFD. Resources making good progress. pic.twitter.com/RXoeNzpnni
— CAL FIRE Riverside (@CALFIRERRU) September 27, 2018

Wildland Fire in the City of Perris: Placentia Ave X Indian Ave. 1 1/2 acres. More: https://t.co/uFvuvahxdl #PlacentiaFire Photos: CAL FIRE/RCOFD pic.twitter.com/6Onwb2fXLA
— CAL FIRE Riverside (@CALFIRERRU) September 27, 2018

— City News Service contributed to this report / Image via Riverside County Fire Department