Update: Wildfire Chars 80 Acres

9:30 pm Update:

A fire that broke out today near Aguanga blackened roughly 80 acres but posed no threat to homes or other structures in the area.

The non-injury blaze near Sabina Drive and Ballinger Road, about eight miles south of Hemet, was reported at 10:47 a.m., according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

By noon, the fire had expanded to 60 acres, and by 5 p.m., it had reached 80 acres, but "all forward progress was stopped," said Riverside County Fire Department Capt. Dan Harris.

Harris anticipated full containment by midnight.

A dozen engine crews, several water tender crews and two to three inmate hand crews -- altogether numbering around 130 personnel -- were working their way around the fire, Harris said.

Earlier in the day, six air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters were making runs on the blaze, but Harris said the air resources were sent home after the flames died down.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

5:15 pm Update:

A brush fire that started at Sabina Drive and Ballinger Road in
the Aguanga area has blackened 78 acres and is 50 percent contained, with full
containment expected by midnight, a county fire department spokeswoman says.

Story posted at 2 pm:

A fire that broke out today near Aguanga spread to 60 acres within an hour but posed no immediate danger to homes in the area.

The non-injury blaze near Sabina Drive and Ballinger Road, about eight miles south of Hemet, was reported at 10:47 a.m., according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

By noon, the brusher had expanded to 60 acres, with zero containment, a fire department spokeswoman said.

Thirty-three engine companies and seven inmate hand crews, numbering around 225 fire personnel, were working to surround the blaze, with the assistance of six air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

--City News Service