Firefighters in Colton rushed to a blaze in the Santa Ana riverbed Tuesday morning as some of the strongest winds in years pushed through Southern California.
The fire was reported around 5 a.m. near Riverside Avenue and had burned about 1 acre when firefighters arrived.
Video showed the blaze started in a homeless encampment and was burning makeshift structures and other personal items as small trees were blowing in the wind.
At least one RV and several other vehicles appeared to have been destroyed in the blaze which crews were concerned could spread to 20 acres or more, freelance media firm OnScene.TV reported.
No injuries were reported in the fire.
The fire sparked as Southern California braces for what officials have described as a "life-threatening," “extreme” and “destructive" wind event that is expected to last into Thursday.
The National Weather Service is issuing red flag warnings for much of Southern California on Tuesday and Wednesday due to concerns that a small spark could turn into an out-of-control wildfire.
No official cause of the fire has been determined.