Brush Fire Causes Snarl on the Riverside Freeway

A stubborn blaze scorched about 60 acres of dry brush in steep terrain just south of the Riverside Freeway near the border of Orange and Riverside counties Thursday afternoon during the height of the rush hour, causing a traffic snarl that lasted well into the evening, authorities said.

It took 175 firefighters about five hours to contain the flames, which broke out about 2 p.m. near Green River Road and burned in an easterly direction, fire officials said. Four firefighters were injured, including one who suffered a broken leg. The only structure lost was a small shed.

Fire crews from the U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Corona Fire Department were hampered by steep terrain in fighting the fire. They were to receive help on the blaze from five air tankers, but the aircraft were diverted to a fire in San Diego County, said Brad Cassidy, spokesman for the state fire agency.

California Highway Patrol officials said the sight of flames and smoke backed up traffic for miles on the main route between Orange and Riverside counties.

Cause of the blaze remained under investigation late Thursday.