Chambers Fire burned in Hemet amid high winds before firefighters could extinguish it

Firefighters battled a fast-spreading brush fire in Hemet on Monday evening but were able to extinguish the flames within hours, authorities said.

According to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, the fire, also called the Chambers Fire, was first reported near Chambers Street and Gilbert Street around 6:10 p.m. The next morning, Tuesday, Hemet Fire Department Captain Laura Axcell said one firefighter suffered a minor injury and no structures were threatened, damaged or destroyed by the brush fire.

Ground crews and fire engines worked to contain the flames as they moved toward Domenigoni Parkway Monday evening. They say the forward march was halted when the fire burned in a remote part of the city around 7:30 p.m

The warning was in effect across much of Southern California due to strong winds and dry conditions that create a high fire risk. National Weather Service officials said wind speeds were expected to be between 25 and 40 mph, with some gusts reaching 60 mph.

While SkyCal was over the scene, a hand crew could be seen extinguishing the flames, just a few meters ahead of a firefighting aircraft following close behind. While five fire engines were initially deployed, an additional five vehicles were later deployed as firefighters requested more resources.

Axcell said the brush fire was advancing uphill and had just begun to threaten the Seven Hills community in Hemet before firefighters stopped the flames’ progression.