Firefighters Stop Banning Fire At 33 Acres

A brush fire broke out near Highway 243 late Wednesday, quickly blackening 20 acres and forcing the closure of the roadway, but was 100 percent contained as of 8 p.m., according to the county fire department.

The blaze was reported about 5 p.m. on the south side of the highway near a call box and was still spreading about 40 minutes later.

California Highway Patrol and Banning police officers closed Highway 243 at Wesley Street while at least five dozen firefighters worked the blaze, Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Cheri Patterson said.

More ground and air firefighting units were dispatched to the fire, she said, adding the cause was not immediately known.

Complete control was expected by 8 a.m. Thursday. No injuries were reported, said Melody Hendrickson of the county fire department.