Round Fire in Moreno Valley burns 300 acres, now 60% contained

Firefighters have reached 60% containment Sunday of a brush fire that has burned at least 290 acres in Moreno Valley.

The Round Fire was reported around 12:25 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Gilman Springs Road and Alessandro Boulevard, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The fire was initially sized at 75 acres at the time of report, but grew rapidly to 175 acres before 3 p.m. and to 250 acres by 4 p.m. At 6:15 p.m., fire officials reported the fire had consumed 300 acres but was 25% contained by lines of cleared vegetation.

Authorities reported the fire was burning in light fuels in an area with limited access. Fire officials reported that 250 people were involved in the fight and four helicopters were performing water drops.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory that was effective from 4:30 p.m. Saturday until at least 3 p.m. Sunday. Affected areas included Hemet, Perris, San Jacinto, Beaumont, Banning, the San Gorgonio Pass, Cathedral City, Indio and Palm Springs due to smoke from the fire being blown northeast.

According to the SCAQMD, air quality index levels may reach unhealthy or higher in the impacted areas.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

No injuries or evacuations were reported.

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Round Fire in Moreno Valley burns 300 acres, now 60% contained