A firefighter ducks as debris from a burning palm tree rains down on him at the edge of Antelope Road. (Staff photos).
A vegetation fire near the east shoulder of the northbound 215 Freeway spread smoke and embers from the edge of the Living Spaces parking lot south along Antelope Road Thursday afternoon.
The fire began about 3 p.m. alongside the freeway near the northbound Newport Road off-ramp – a site where a recent fire charred a small patch of vegetation. This fire spread to almost 2 acres, with much of the burned vegetation being along the parkway on Antelope Road south of the shopping center.
No injuries were reported and no structures were damaged. Stores in the shopping center remained open, but Antelope Road was closed from La Piedra Road north to the traffic signal at Living Spaces. Firefighters from several engine companies soaked the burned vegetation area for more than two hours, watching for hot spots. Mostly, there was a lot of white smoke that drifted onto the freeway as traffic slowed passing the area.
The only sign of flames during Menifee 24/7’s live video report of the incident came when the top of a palm tree on the west side of Antelope Road caught fire. A firefighter repeatedly sprayed water on the tree at each sign of a flame. Although embers fell in the area, none of the other trees or ground vegetation caught fire.
As always, cause of the fire is under investigation.
A palm tree catches fire at the edge of Antelope Road.
Water stops the fire from spreading.
A firefighter hooks up to a fire hydrant in the Living Spaces back parking lot.
Across from the Enclave Apartments, vegetation burned right up to the curb.
