Forward rate stopped on 12-acre brush fire burning in Anza

A brush fire that erupted today on the south end of Anza scorched 12 acres and threatened multiple properties before it was stopped.   

The non-injury Chapman Fire was reported at 12:52 p.m. in the area of Chapman and Ramsey roads, on the eastern boundary of the Cahuilla Indian Reservation, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.   

The agency said numerous engine and hand crews were sent to the location, preceded by Cal Fire aircraft, whose crews encountered flames moving at a rapid rate to the southeast in medium brush, with 10 properties in its path.

Six air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters initiated runs on the brusher that slowed it down, enabling crews to begin establishing tentative containment lines and prevent the flames from jumping a road.   

Sheriff's deputies were summoned to stand by for mandatory evacuations, but none were required.

No structures were damaged.   

At 2:40 p.m., the fire's forward rate of spread was stopped. Full containment was expected around nightfall.   

All aircraft, with the exception of one chopper, had cleared the location by 3:10 p.m.  

Electrical lines collapsed in the vicinity of the fire, and SoCal Edison de-energized transmission lines in the immediate area for public safety. It was not immediately known how many residences were impacted by the outage.   

The temperature in the Anza Valley as of 3 p.m. was 108 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.  

The cause of the fire was under investigation.