The so-called Myers Fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. in the area of Myers Street and West Devonshire Avenue, according to the Hemet Fire Department. Video from an ABC7 tower camera shows smoke in the area.
Multiple engine crews from the city and Riverside County Fire Department were sent to the location and encountered flames moving across open space at a moderate rate to the northeast.
Three Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter from Hemet-Ryan Airport less than a mile away made a series of runs on the brusher that significantly slowed its advance, enabling ground crews to begin establishing containment lines by 2:30 p.m., according to reports from the scene.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued but has since been lifted.
As of 3:30 p.m., several tankers had returned to the airport to remain in "stand-by'' status, officials said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.