"Volcano Fire" Nearly Contained

The Riverside County blaze consumed 355 acres and destroyed one home.

Sunday, Aug 5, 2012 | Updated 2:30 PM PDT

Fire officials expect full containment of a wildfire that has burned 355 acres west of Murrieta by 6 p.m. today, City News Service reported.

``The fire remains 95 percent contained,'' Jody Hagemann of the county fire department said today. ``We have two engines and one fire crew assigned today. Full containment is estimated by 6 p.m.''

The wildfire, which started about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, charred hillside in unincorporated Deluz and destroyed one home and injured three firefighters. A brush-clearing mower operated by a Riverside County Transportation worker on Tenaja Road struck barbed wire and issued sparks, firefighters said.

A flareup prevented full containment by Thursday night.

``The county is providing its full cooperation as fire department officials continue their investigation,'' county Executive Office spokesman Ray Smith said.

One firefighter suffered a broken ankle and was taken to a hospital. Two other crew members suffered unspecified minor injuries, authorities said.

A two-story house was destroyed by the flames, which at one point also threatened numerous other residences. Most of the side roads in the area are dirt, with homes built along hillsides.

More than 300 personnel from multiple agencies -- including the Riverside County, Murrieta and Los Angeles County fire departments and the Pechanga tribal fire unit -- battled the blaze at its height last week.

Thirty-nine engine crews, six water tender companies and 11 hand crews were deployed. Seven water-dropping helicopters and six air tankers also were called into action.