Riverside County Wildfire Scorches 2,200 Acres

Firefighters expect to have a 2,200 acre brush fire in Riverside County fully contained by Monday morning, firefighters said.

The blaze, which was first reported Saturday afternoon south of Beaumont, was 70 percent contained early Monday.

Some 285 firefighters rushed to the scene on Saturday, remaining throughout the night. The blaze was initially seen off Potrero Road near the Wolfskill Extension Truck Trail (map), where an incident command post had been set up by 6:40 p.m. Five air tankers were battling the fire from above.

The fire grew from 400 to 600 acres within 20 minutes, according to a 3:50 p.m. update on an incident report on the Riverside County Fire Department's website. At 5:25 p.m., the blaze was reported to be 1,100 acres. A 6:40 p.m. update said the blaze has grown to 2,000 acres.

Firefighers were working steep, rugged terrain with winds that were changing direction, according to Jody Hagemann of the fire department.

"The wind shifts all the time this time of day," said Hagemann at about 5:15 p.m.

The fast-growing blaze had caused no injuries, and no structures were threatened as of 3:30 p.m. Hagemann said it was burning away from structures and up into the San Jacinto Mountains. Firefighters will remain at the scene throughout the night.

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