A brush fire spread to structures, including homes, and led to evacuations Tuesday in Riverside County.
The Juniper Fire burned about 55 acres and was 5% contained in the 19000 block of Sana Rosa Mine Road in Perris, about 20 miles southeast of Riverside. The fire was reported at about 2:30 p.m.
Plumes of thick black smoke could be seen for miles around.
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Firefighters reported a fast rate of spread and immediate structure threat. Details about what type of buildings burned were not immediately available, but it appeared flames reached at least one home.
Two homes were destroyed and several cars burned.
Evacuations were ordered south of Santa Rosa Mine Road, east of El Baquero Road, west of Maywood Club Road, north of Blue Sky Road. A care and reception center for evacuees has been established at Pinacate Middle School, 1990 South "A" Street, Perris, CA 92570.
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At its peak, six air tankers and four water-dropping helicopters were at the scene with about 160 personnel on the ground. The forward rate of spread was stopped at 5:15 p.m. All aircraft had cleared the location as of 5:50 p.m.
Details about how the fire started were not immediately available.
