Temecula Area Brush Fire Breaks Out, Spreads To 33 Acres: Cal Fire

TEMECULA, CA — More than 100 firefighters are battling a wildfire in the Temecula area on Tuesday afternoon, which broke out around noon, the Riverside County Fire Department reports. However, fire crews have stopped the forward rate of spread on the blaze, officials report.

As of 4:50 p.m., the fire had scorched dozens of acres of vegetation in the area of San Ignacio Road and East Benton Road, according to fire officials.

Riverside County firefighters, along with crews from the San Bernardino Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, were called to the scene around 12 p.m., after receiving multiple reports of a blaze, according to April Newman of the Riverside County Fire Department.

"Firefighters first arrived on scene of a vegetation fire approximately three acres in size, in light flashy fuels, moving at a moderate rate of spread," Newman said.

By 1:05 p.m., the fire had spread to approximately 30 acres. At 1:14 p.m., Newman said the forward rate of spread had been stopped.

At 3:56 p.m., officials said the fire was 33 acres in size, but 75 percent contained. Crews were expected to remain on scene until about 5 p.m.

There were 145 firefighters, 16 engine companies, four air tankers, four fire crews, three water tenders, two bulldozers and two helicopters assigned to the incident.