Update 2:50 p.m. A contingent of 70 firefighters, two tanker planes and one helicopter responded to the fire that broke out Friday afternoon in the mountains south of Banning, according to Cal Fire.
"Due to quick firefighter action, the fire is currently holding at 4-5 acres," Melody Hendrickson of Cal Fire Riverside County said in an update.
Banning police, the California Highway Patrol and the Forest Service also responded to the blaze, which broke out near Highway 243 about two miles north of South San Gorgonio Avenue, Hendrickson said.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
Update 1:45 p.m. A fire reported at 12:33 p.m. Friday June 28 had scorched 4 to 5 acres in about one hour, Melody Hendrickson of Cal Fire Riverside County said in a phone interview.
Fire crews had "pretty good line around it" as of 1:40 p.m., Hendrickson said.
Posted 1:38 p.m. A fire broke out Friday in the mountains south of Banning, Patch readers report.
Patrick Stephens said the fire was burning near Highway 243 above Smith Correctional Facility.
Stephens sent a photo from Hargrave Street, looking south. Stephens said he took the photo at 1:15 p.m.
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