Crews stop growth of 26-acre wildfire in Winchester

WINCHESTER — A wildfire that erupted Monday on a hillside in Winchester burned roughly 26 acres before it was 50 percent contained.

#WinchesterFire aerial photo from CAL FIRE Air Attack 310. Fire is 25 acres and 20% contained. Credit: CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department pic.twitter.com/0Obq6Qd6Tc

— CAL FIRE Riverside (@CALFIRERRU) August 27, 2018

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The non-injury blaze was reported about 11 a.m. in the 35000 block of Hidden Falls Road, near Rawson Road, a half-mile south of Diamond Valley Lake, according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

By 12:50 p.m., the fire’s forward rate of spread had been stopped, and the blaze was close to one-third contained, according to reports from the scene. By 3:15 p.m., the fire was measured at 26 acres and was 50 percent contained, the fire department said.

About 90 personnel were sent to the location and encountered flames in rugged terrain, not immediately threatening homes or other structures. Two air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter were called in to make runs on the brush fire, slowing its advance until crews could make their way uphill to begin encircling it.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The Press-Enterprise contributed to this story.

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