Menifee Fire Sends Smoke Through Southwest Riverside County

MENIFEE, CA — A debris fire that erupted Thursday in a makeshift Menifee junkyard destroyed several RVs, discarded boats and other craft, blackening about an acre before it was contained.

The non-injury blaze was reported at 1:10 p.m. in the 25000 block of Sherman Road, near Ethanac Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Four engine crews and a truck company were sent to the location and encountered flames extending from a debris pile to the abandoned rigs.

"We arrived on scene and found a large commercial property being utilized as a junkyard for boats, RVs and such that were on fire," said Battalion Chief Mark League. "Firefighters were faced with water supply issues, making it difficult to contain the fire."

The blaze engulfed at least two of the parked vehicles, as well as other craft, none of which were occupied.

Firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to surrounding vegetation, and by 4 p.m., the blaze was fully contained, though still smoldering.

"Due to the magnitude and complexity of the incident, the fire department's hazardous materials team and the (county) Department of Environmental Health were requested (to assist with mopping up)," League said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

—City News Service