Brush fire next to 215 Freeway halts traffic near Scott Road

A firefighter attacks flames in the hills west of the 215 Freeway and south of Scott Road. (Photo by Cal Fire)

Story updated with 100 percent containment of the fire.

Southbound lanes of the 215 Freeway near Scott Road were jammed, with only one lane open following a brief full closure, while crews battled a brush fire in the hills west of the freeway this afternoon.

The fire, which officials say began with a vehicle fire on the freeway shoulder, was reported at 1:17 p.m., according to Riverside County Fire Department officials. It quickly covered 5 acres in the brush near a popular area of hiking trails south of Keller Road.

Traffic soon slowed to a crawl as two freeway lanes were closed during firefighters' approach to the blaze from the side of the freeway. An overhead tanker was also used to drop flame retardant. The fire's spread was stopped at 25 acres and was declared 75 percent contained at 7:30 p.m.

One firefighter was transported to a hospital with a hand injury. No other injuries were reported. As of 9:30 p.m., southbound traffic was still limited to about 5 mph between Scott Road and Clinton Keith Road. Crews remained on scene to work toward full containment and mop up hot spots.

Fire officials announced at 9:30 p.m. that the fire was 100 percent contained.

Reader Colt Sanderson took this photo of the flames from the other side of the 215 Freeway.