The fire started around 11:40 a.m., according to the Riverside County Fire Department. Many drivers and residents in the area reported seeing the dark clouds of smoke and flames along the freeway.
#temeculafire right now @abc7 @nbcla pic.twitter.com/HueDXl71rD
— Ricky Borja Ansaldo (@Riboran) June 4, 2016
Huge fire just erupted off 15 freeway near Temecula #abc7eyewitness pic.twitter.com/zgGlV0BDQE
— Mark Q (@socalnsx) June 4, 2016
@ABC7 video footage of fire near border patrol station in Temecula SB I-15 pic.twitter.com/KwL4ddDNgF
— Brent Sanchez (@BridgetownBS) June 4, 2016
#traffic is at a standstill #temecula #abc7eyewitness @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/GxPXWxUxF7
— chris (@imCJB) June 4, 2016
More than 200 firefighters and a helicopter worked to put out the blaze. No structures were threatened.
The southbound freeway has two lanes opened at Temecula Parkway as crews fought the blaze. One northbound lane was also closed.
(RIVCO) SB 15 @ TMECULA PKWY, ALL SB TRAFFIC STOPPED DUE TO FIRE NEXT TO FREEWAY. FIRE IS B/T CHECKPOINT AND TEMECULA PKWY, UNK DRTN,
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) June 4, 2016
Officials said one firefighter suffered a non-life threatening injury and was taken to the hospital.
The cause of the brush fire was unknown.