Air, ground attack contains vegetation fire to 15 acres

An air tanker drops fire retardant over a field and structures at Scott Road and Pines Airpark Road in Winchester. Staff photos by Doug Spoon

By Doug Spoon, Editor

A vegetation fire spread to 15 acres on multiple properties north of Scott Road and east of Leon Road in Winchester today, requiring air drops from tankers and a helicopter and containment lines by hand crews, according to authorities. There were no reports of damage to structures in the area, which includes a private airport hangar and runway.

The fire was reported at 1:21 p.m. in a field north of Scott Road at Pines Airpark Road, according to a Cal Fire Riverside report. First responders reported 3-4 acres of “light flashy vegetation burning at a moderate rate.” The fire was 100 percent contained at 4 p.m., authorities said.

With winds reported blowing southwest at 12 mph, smoke could be seen from Scott Road, rising from several patches of vegetation and near structures. In all, 12 engine crews responded, along with two battalion chiefs, two hand crews, two bulldozers, and air vehicles. A helicopter and two tankers made multiple drops of fire retardant and water.

Carita Hatmaker lives on one of the adjacent properties in an area she describes as “sparse housing on minimum 5-acre lots.”

“It’s a sinking feeling as you’re headed home, then soon realize that this fire is just too close,” Hatmaker told Menifee 24/7 about 3 p.m. “We’re safe at home now and there’s no [structural] damage that we can see at the moment. The helicopter was going down into the rain-made lake for fill-up.

“Please thank Cal Fire for keeping our property safe.”

Aviva Aronowicz, another resident in the area, said she had no property damage and left for an appointment once she realized the fire was under control. She took the photo immediately below.