Update 9:56 p.m. The fire north of Redlands and Mentone was declared contained before 9 p.m. Saturday Sept. 8 at 57 acres, Redlands fire Battalion Chief Scott MacDonald said.
"Most of the fire was on state land surrounded by the City of Redlands," MacDonald said. "CalFire will leave resources on the fire all night. Mop up will continue tomorrow with CalFire and Redlands resources."
The fire was caused by lightning, MacDonald said.
Posted 7:36 p.m. Fire possibly sparked by lightning scorched more than 10 acres Saturday north of Redlands and Mentone in the Mill Creek-Santa Ana River wash.
Hundreds of residents in the rural citrus neighborhood, mixed with dense, new housing tracts, watched aircraft and ground crews battle the blaze for several hours Saturday afternoon, Sept. 8.
The possible cause was lightning, city spokesman Carl Baker said.
No homes were in immediate danger but the aerial battle brought firefighting urgency close to many residents, including scores who gathered at Agate and Salerno to watch helicopter pilots take on water from a tank next to a citrus grove.
The land appeared to be State of California jurisdiction, Baker said.
No injuries or property damage were reported before sundown.
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