Fire Burning Near Temecula Nearly Contained

AGUANGA, CA — A fire burning east of Temecula was 95 percent contained Friday morning, after scorching approximately 34 acres since Thursday afternoon. The Riverside County Fire Department says crews from two engines will remain at the scene until the fire is fully contained and mopped up.

The fire started out as a series of spot fires in the area of state Route 371 and Yucca Lane around 4 p.m. Thursday, according to fire officials. It was dubbed the Yucca Fire.

Twenty-one engine crews from the Riverside County Fire Department, Murrieta Fire & Rescue and the Pechanga reservation deployed to the fires, in addition to four county hand crews, totaling 150 personnel, according to the fire department. Four Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter also made runs on the fires on Thursday.

California Highway Patrol officers temporarily shut down access to state Route 371 from Highway 79 to the south and Lake Riverside to the north while crews used state Route 371 to stage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries or damage was reported.

— City News Service contributed to this report