A brush fire that erupted on Thursday near the south end of Menifee consumed almost 60 acres before it was partially contained.
The non-injury “Baxter Fire” was reported at 3:25 p.m. Thursday in the area of Baxter Road and Kingsnake Avenue, just east of Interstate 215, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency stated that multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving northeast across a field amid breezy conditions.
Five Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter initiated runs on the brusher at 3:50 p.m., significantly slowing its advance, according to reports from the scene.
Baxter Fire evacuation warnings, road closures
An evacuation warning was issued for homes west of Briggs Road and south of Keller Road. No road closures were in effect as of 5 p.m.
With the fire stalled within retardant lines established by air operations, some of the aircraft departed the area, leaving just one or two to make targeted drops directed by ground personnel. Crews from surrounding municipal fire agencies initially requested to provide mutual aid were canceled.
No homes or other properties were damaged.
Officials anticipated full containment of the fire at some point overnight.
The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Baxter Fire: Brush fire in Menifee grows amid breezy conditions; evacuation warning issued
Reporting by City News Service / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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