Forrest Fire - USA

GLIDE CODE: WF-20060830-7399-USA
Date & Time: 2006.08.30 - 06:05:57
Area: USA California, , Redlands ( MAP)

Description:

A wildfire erupted quickly in the southern San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday, burning a home and prompting the evacuation of a tiny mountain community. It was one of several fires to have started in Southern California this week as hot weather dried out brush and increased fire danger. The fire started about 3 p.m. and burned about 2,000 acres by dusk, authorities said. The cause was under investigation. The blaze was about 5 percent contained. The community of Mountain Home Village was under a mandatory evacuation order, and nearby Angelus Oaks was under a voluntary evacuation, said Robin Prince, a forest spokeswoman. One home and two outbuildings had burned. Mountain Home Village resident Kevin Bondy said a number of people were leaving. About 60 homes are in the area. "You can't see (the flames) from where we're at right now," Bondy said. "It's on the other side of the ridge, but I guess it's enough for them to evacuate us." Nearly 200 firefighters, along wi! th seven air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters, attacked the flames as they moved north into the forest about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The fire was burning near the eastern edge of the Santa Ana River, about 14 miles from San Bernardino. In northern Los Angeles County, firefighters contained a 565-acre blaze near Santa Clarita. Residents of several closed streets were allowed to return home. Arson was suspected, authorities said. In Montana, residents of about a dozen homes were urged to evacuate after an afternoon windstorm fanned a fire that had burned about 18,000 acres and was 40 percent contained. It made a "pretty good run" Tuesday, information officer Pat Cross said. The fire was burning in national forests about 60 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. In Washington state, more favorable weather was helping firefighters battle a huge wilderness blaze. Firefighters were pulled from the lines Monday because of unsafe conditions in hot, windy weathe! r. The lightning-caused fire covers about 142,326 acres in the Pasayte n Wilderness in the north-central part of the state. There are 1,562 people battling the fire, and it is about 48 percent trailed, said Bud Nelson, a spokesman for the firefighting effort.

Damage level: Moderate