Wildfire burning near Whitewater

Firefighters are battling a blaze, burning near Whitewater.

It broke out Sunday night, around 9:15 p.m. near the Whitewater exit, just north of Interstate 10.

As of 7 a.m. Monday morning, the fire is 40 percent contained, and has blackened more than 300 acres.

Crews are battling strong wind gusts and rising temperatures.

Roughly 15 families were evacuated by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, but an evacuation center was not needed.

No injuries are being reported, and no buildings have been damaged.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.