Southwest RivCo Brush Fire Prompts Evacuations

AGUANGA, CA — A brush fire that burned at least 67 acres and prompted brief evacuations in Aguanga was 40% contained Sunday, authorities said.

The fire was reported around 2:40 p.m. Saturday in the area of Highway 79 and Sage Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

At the initial time of report, the fire was burning 10 acres. Fire crews were able to slow its forward progress by 4:25 p.m. at 67 acres, according to the fire department.

No injuries were immediately reported, but firefighters went door-to- door in the immediate area asking residents to leave their homes for a few hours as a precaution. It was unclear how many homes were evacuated, but those residents did return home later, fire officials told City News Service.

Caltrans reported that Highway 79 was closed between Vail Oak and Sage roads.

Crews remained on the scene overnight to put out hot spots and increase containment lines.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.