Brush Fire Chars Nearly 3 Acres In Avocado Grove Near Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — Firefighters battled a brush fire that charred nearly three acres at an avocado grove in an unincorporated area west of Temecula on Wednesday, officials said.

The fire was reported just before noon near Fuerte and Volare roads, in the unincorporated community of De Luz, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Multiple fire engines and hand crews responded to the blaze and encountered flames moving at a slow rate downhill through the grove next to a house.

Three Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter initiated runs on the blaze at 12:25 p.m., blunting its progress. The forward rate of spread was halted at 1 p.m.

No structures were damaged, and injuries were reported.

Firefighters were gradually encircling the blaze early Wednesday afternoon. Full containment was expected by 4 p.m.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

City News Service contributed to this report.