Sage Fire 60 Percent Contained

Firefighters made slow progress on a wildfire that raged near Vail Lake today.

The fire – dubbed the “Sage Fire” by emergency workers – was only 60 percent contained by 5:55 p.m., despite having 277 firefighters battling it with 31 engines, three helicopters and four air tankers, said Melody Hendrickson of the Riverside County Fire Department.

The fire was first reported at 12:55 p.m. on Highway 79 and Sage Road. Firefighters found one to two acres ablaze, though it spread rapidly.

Investigators suspect a car fire caused the disaster. To read more,

Fire crews were using axes and hoses to douse hot spots today in the blackened fields around 7 p.m. A helicopter flew rounds dropping water as the sun set.

No structures were in danger and nobody was evacuated, said San Diego County firefighter Ryan Johnson.

The California Highway Patrol closed the highway for a short time, he said.

Stephanie Schulte contributed to this report.