Murrieta Brush Fire To Be Contained By Saturday Night

MURRIETA (CBS) — A wind-whipped brush fire scorching the lightly-populated hills about five miles northwest of Interstate 215 is expected to be contained by 8 p.m. Saturday.

The fire broke out Friday afternoon at Wright Road and Shauna Charmain Lane. As of 9:30 a.m. Saturday, 15 acres have burned and the fire is 75 percent contained, spokeswoman Cheri Patterson said. About 75 firefighters were battling the blaze and expected to remain into the night.

A preliminary investigation indicates the fire was caused by a human, but is still under investigation, she said, but no homes were immediately threatened.

Along with county fire personnel, crews from the U.S. Forest Service, Murrieta and Pechanga Indian Reservation fire departments devoted air and ground resources to battle the flames.

A county fire engine rushing to the scene Friday apparently collided with a vehicle, leaving a motorist moderately injured, Patterson said. No firefighters were hurt.

Fire officials and the California Highway Patrol are investigating the crash, which was at Antelope at Scott roads.

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