Brush Fire Spreads To Nearly 900 Acres

A brush fire that blackened more than 900 acres was about 70 contained today, according to fire officials.

The blaze, which broke out south of a residential area in Home Gardens between Corona and Riverside shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday, moved south to southwest towards Cajalco Road in light grass on hills between the Corona (15) Freeway and Lake Mathews.

Large flames were visible late Thursday in brush-filled drainages where firefighters were setting fires to deny fuel to the main fire, CalFire- Riverside County Capt. Phil Rawlings told City News Service.

As many as 500 firefighters from Riverside and San Diego Counties and Riverside and Corona fire departments were called out to stall the blaze Thursday.

Earlier Thursday, the fire moved dangerously close to several large homes along Skyridge Drive and residents were on alert for possible evacuations, but no structures were damaged.

Four air tankers were called in to drop fire retardant, as well three water-dropping helicopters. Some hillside residents watched anxiously as aircraft dropped loads of water and retardant that landed as close as their backyards.

A tractor hauling a mower trailer on a hillside off September Way struck a rock and sparked the fire, Rawlings said.

Full containment was expected by 7 p.m. tonight, according to a report at 7:30 a.m.

Of concern for residents and fire agencies elsewhere in the Southland, a red flag warning for explosive fire growth potential was issued for noon to 8 p.m. today in some areas of Riverside and San Diego counties.

One firefighter sustained a minor ankle injury, Rawlings said.

Stay with News Channel 3 and KESQ.com for more on this developing situation.

KABC contributed to this story