Brush fire in Winchester burns more than 1,200 acres

Smoke from the Patterson Fire could be seen from miles, including this spot at Scott Road and Lindenberger Road. Menifee 24/7 photo

Firefighters had 40 percent containment by 10 p.m. Thursday and had stopped the forward progress of a brush fire that had covered 1,200 acres in the hills of Winchester near Diamond Valley Lake, officials said.

The fire was reported at 2:19 p.m. near the 34000 block of Rawson Road. Six homes on Hidden Falls and Vista Road were evacuated and one unoccupied structure was destroyed, but no injuries were reported.

More than 100 firefighters were on scene at the height of the fire. By mid-evening, all evacuation orders had been lifted.