A fast-moving wildfire in Southern California's San Jacinto Mountains grew to 8,000 acres by late Tuesday morning after prompting mandatory evacuations and destroying an unknown number of structures.
Despite firefighters battling flames overnight from the ground and in the air, the Mountain Fire was just 10 percent contained as of 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.
An incident report had noted the growth potential of the blaze was "extreme" in steep and rugged terrain. Heavy smoke had spread into the Coachella Valley, the forest service tweeted.
A night-flying helicopter and Air Attack aircraft worked overnight on the fire, which had broken out at 1:43 p.m. Monday on private property off State Highway 243. The ignition point is a few miles south of the resort town of Idywild in a community called Mountain Center (map).
Flames were spreading east over the mountains.
Structures were damaged and destroyed in the Pine Springs Ranch area in Apple Canyon, and investigators were assessing the loss, the forest service said. It wasn't clear how many or what type of buildings were damaged.
Norm Chaffin, an area resident who was evacuated, told NBC4 Monday night that a neighbor had seen a nearby home in flames.
"We have no idea what's going to be there," Chaffin said.
Mandatory evacuations remained in effect for Fleming Ranch, Bonita Vista and Pine Springs Ranch, said the Forest Service, which manages much of the region where the blaze was burning.
The area -- the San Bernardino National Forest and adjacent Mount San Jacinto State Park -- is a popular destination for hikers, rock climbers and campers. San Jacinto Peak, the second-highest point in Southern California, is about eight miles north-northeast of where the fire began.
The Pacific Crest Trail was closed from State Highway 74 to Saddle Junction, as were the South Ridge Trail, Carumba Trail, Spitler Peak Trail, Fobes Trail, and Cedar Springs, according to an online fire incident report.
The wildfire was under attack from 650 firefighters, six helicopters and 10 air tankers.
Highway 243 was closed between State Highway 74 and Saunders Meadows Drive.
Evacuation centers were set up at the following locations:
- Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave, Hemet
- Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road, Anza - Can accept small animals
- Large and Small Animals can be taken to Lake Hemet Campground in Garner Valley
- Small animals can be brought to the SanJacinto Animal Shelter, 581 S. Grand Ave, San Jacinto.
Photo credit: AP/The Desert Sun.
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Photo Credit: Debi Andersen
