Firefighters Gain Control of Hillside Brush Fire

A plane drops fire retardant over a wildfire in the rocky hills above Briggs Road in Romoland on Tuesday. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

Updated at 9 a.m. July 14:

A wildfire covering 173 acres of rocky hillside in a remote location northeast of Menifee was 90 percent contained by Wednesday night and full containment is expected by Friday, according to fire officials.

The fire, of undetermined origin, was reported at 3:20 p.m. in the hills east of Briggs Road between Gunther Road and Louis Road. Fueled by winds, it began to move south toward scattered residences high in the hills off Mapes Road in the Romoland area. The winds soon shifted in the other direction and moved the danger away from those homes, said Geoff Pemberton, Division Chief of Cal Fire.

Power lines heading over the hill presented a challenge for firefighter accessibility and prevented the use of large tankers to make drops, Pemberton said. However, helicopters and smaller aircraft were used to drop water and flame retardant.

No structures have been threatened but one firefighter sustained minor injuries, according to Cal Fire officials.

A total of 27 fire companies and 205 firefighters responded to the site to battle the fire and stand ready to protect structures in the area. Pemberton said crews would be there throughout the night to complete containment of the fire. There have been no evacuations.