Temecula Fire Burns Through Heavy Fuels, But Is Quickly Contained

TEMECULA, CA — Firefighters made quick work Tuesday of a fire in Temecula, which burned west of Vail Lake and sent a large smoke plume into the region. Riverside County fire reports indicate that agency officials were alerted to the wildfire at 2:57 p.m.

Within an hour, the fire had spread to an estimated 15 acres. However, crews established 20 percent containment by the same time. By 7:15 p.m., the fire was fully contained and mapped at 23 acres.

"CAL FIRE/Riverside County Firefighters are on scene of a wildland fire on De Portola Road east of Pauba Road," Jody Hagemann of the Riverside Fire Department said with the fire first broke out, adding that it was burning in heavy fuels.

One hundred ten firefighters were assigned to the Portola Incident from 17 engine companies. There were also two air tankers, two bulldozers, a helicopter and a water tender assigned to the fire.

No injuries were reported, and it's unclear at this time what sparked the fire.

The above image was taken in the area of Butterfield Stage and Pauba roads around 3 p.m.

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Patch photo by Ashley Ludwig