Mandatory evacuations were prompted by a growing wildfire in dry mountain terrain south of Idyllwild, Calif., that also shut down two highways on Monday afternoon.
The blaze in southern California's San Jacinto Mountains was at 4,700 acres by 6 a.m. Tuesday and continued to burn through the morning. The fire was at 10 percent containment as of 6 a.m. Tuesday, according to the U.S. Forest Service incident report.
Evacuations were ordered for the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, Bonita Vista Community of about 20 homes and four homes at Fleming Ranch, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Dubbed the Mountain Fire, the wildfire was under attack from 424 firefighters, eight helicopters and seven air tankers, according to a fire department incident report.
It was burning in the community of Mountain Center in the San Jacinto Mountains (map), about 4 miles south of the resort town of Idyllwild.
An incident report noted the growth potential of the blaze was "extreme" with highly difficult terrain. Multiple structures had been damaged, but the report could not confirm the number of structures or the extent of the damage.
Eastbound Highway 74 was closed east of the U.S. Forest Service Cranston Guard Station; westbound lanes were open. Highway 243 was closed at Saunders Meadow.
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Photo credit: NBC4 viewer Joe Chiosso.
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Photo Credit: Holly Lindquist