Pechanga Fire Scorches 5 Acres In Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — A brush fire that erupted late Thursday afternoon on the edge of the Pechanga Indian Reservation in Temecula scorched about five acres before it was stopped.

The non-injury blaze was reported about 5 p.m. in the area of Murphy and Pechanga roads and did not threaten any structures, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a slow rate in medium vegetation. Several Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter were summoned to make runs on the brusher, successfully establishing containment lines and stopping the fire's forward rate of spread at 5:40 p.m.

Along with county crews, personnel from the Pechanga Reservation Fire Department were on the fire lines.

The blaze was expected to be fully contained by nightfall. The cause was under investigation.