Firefighters were battling a fast-moving brush fire in Hemet Monday night before managing to put out the flames within hours, authorities said.
The blaze, being called the Chambers Fire, was first reported at around 6:10 p.m. near Chambers Street and Gilbert Street, according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. The next morning, on Tuesday, Hemet Fire Department Captain Laura Axcell said one firefighter suffered a minor injury and no structures were threatened, damaged or destroyed by the brush fire.
Ground crews and fire dozers worked to contain the flames as they moved towards Domenigoni Parkway Monday night. They say that forward progress was halted as the fire burned in a remote part of the city at around 7:30 p.m.
Much of Southern California was under red flag warning due to the strong winds and dry conditions that present high fire danger. National Weather Service officials said that winds between 25 to 40 mph were expected with some gusts reaching up to 60 mph.
With SkyCal over the scene, a hand crew could be seen dousing the flames just a few feet ahead of a fire dozer following close behind. While five fire engines were initially sent in, another five engines later responded as firefighters requested more resources.
Axcell said the brush fire had been pushing uphill and was just beginning to threaten the Seven Hills community in Hemet before firefighters stopped the forward progress of the flames.
