Two Fires Burn 60 Acres East of Wine Country

Two fires associated with downed power lines burned more than 30 acres in Winchester today.

The fires were reported at 12:12 p.m., according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

One fire ignited a field at San Ignacio and East Benton roads. When firefighters arrived, they found 5-10 acres burning light fuels and spreading slowly.

The fire reached a nearby house, though no damage appeared to be done.

Power lines hung limply from nearby poles and lay in the charred field, though firefighters on the scene said they were not yet sure whether they were the cause.

A camper sat charred in the blacked field of weeds, and Edison was on the scene making repairs as of 2 p.m. Power was cut to the area, they said.

The fire was contained to 20 acres, according to the fire department.

The other fire burned a half-mile away at San Ignacio Road and Avenida Peyri.

Firefighters found about 20 acres burning medium fuels at a moderate rate. Downed power lines lay in the middle of this scene as well.

The fire burned 40 acres by 3 p.m., according to firefighters on the scene.

The fire burned on the 3800 block of San Ignacio Road, a sparsely occupied area of hills, trees and a few homes. Smoke rolled across the road next to a vast field of blackened vegetation as firefighters doused hot spots around 3 p.m.