945-Acre Southern California Wildfire Fully Contained

August 9, 2011

Firefighters in Southern California have surrounded a blaze that burned nearly 1,000 acres and briefly trapped about 50 drivers when it jumped a freeway.

Officials from the Riverside County Fire Department said in a statement Sunday night that the wildfire in a rugged area known as the San Timoteo Badlands was fully contained by 6 p.m. after consuming 945 acres. They expected it to be under control by midnight.

The blaze started burning grass and brush Saturday and quickly spread as it moved uphill, fueled by dry winds and 90-degree temperatures.

The fire jumped State Route 60 and briefly hemmed in motorists until California Highway Patrol officers escorted them to safety.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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