Gavilan Hills Brush Fire 85% Contained

UPDATED AT 11:02 A.M. APRIL 20:

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A brush fire that scorched 23 acres southeast of Lake Mathews in Gavilan Hills was 85 percent contained Tuesday morning after threatening residences and prompting evacuations.

The blaze was reported around 1:30 p.m. Monday in the area of Gavilan Road and Bonita Drive, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. The fire's forward rate of spread was stopped at about 4 p.m.

The fire department said that more than a dozen engine crews and two hand crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving to the east at a moderate rate.

Three Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters were summoned and made runs on the brusher, preventing it from reaching residences in a mobile home park just north of Idaleona Road, as well as other properties located along or beneath rocky hillsides in the area.

As the head of the fire approached residences amid increasing winds, officials ordered evacuations east of Gavilan, south of Esperanza Drive, west of Piedras Road and north of Idaleona. About two dozen properties were impacted. However, the evacuation order was lifted at 5 p.m.

One firefighter suffered a non-life-threatening injury, but the circumstances were not immediately known.

As of 6:30 p.m., crews were making steady progress encircling the blaze, which was expected to be fully contained overnight.

California Highway Patrol officers shut down Gavilan from Cajalco Road to Idaleona for public safety, and that closure was expected to remain in effect until Tuesday morning.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

UPDATED AT 9:45 A.M. APRIL 20:

A brush fire that broke out in Gavilan Hills near Lake Mathews Monday afternoon forced evacuations, and one firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the blaze, but by late-night Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported the brusher was 70 percent contained.

Dubbed the Chico fire, all evacuation orders were lifted just before 5 p.m. Monday, including residents east of Gavilan Road, south of Esperanza Drive, west of Piedras Road, and north of Idaleona Road, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. In total, 24 homes were evacuated.

The agency reported at 5 p.m. that there was still no containment on the blaze that had grown to 20 acres, although crews had stopped the fire's spread. At 10 p.m., the fire was at 70 percent containment.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported that 140 firefighters from multiple agencies were called to the blaze.

Road closures remained in place due to firefighters and equipment working in the area. The California Highway Patrol closed Gavilan Road between Cajalco and Idaleona roads.

The blaze broke out around 1:30 p.m. at Gavilan Road and Bonita Drive.

The blaze was burning at a "rapid rate," and aircraft were being used in the firefight, the agency said. As of 4 p.m., the forward rate of spread on the blaze had been stopped by firefighters.

Weather forecasters reported low humidity and temperatures in the Gavilan Hills area nearing 91 degrees Monday afternoon.

There was no word on what caused the fire, which remains under investigation.