3 Brush Fires Under Investigation In Murrieta

MURRIETA, CA — Three small brush fires that broke out starting Sunday night near Murrieta Creek are under investigation, and arson has not been ruled out.

The first blaze was reported just before 9 p.m. near the intersection of Adams Avenue and Cherry Street in Murrieta. Heavy brush was burning several hundred yards from the roads, which made access difficult for Murrieta Fire & Rescue crews, according to a Patch photographer at the scene.

Firefighters were eventually able to navigate several pieces of equipment onto the trails near the creek and contained the blaze within a small area that has been known as a homeless encampment.

As firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, they spotted a separate, smaller fire about 200 yards south of the first. The second brusher was quickly contained to an area less than an acre in size, according to the photographer.

Then, shortly before 1 a.m. Monday, Murrieta Fire & Rescue crews were again dispatched to the area for another small blaze that was rapidly knocked down.

None of the fires caused structure damage and no injuries were reported.

No immediate arrests were announced.