[NYTr] 2,000 evacuated as S. Calif. forest burns

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

AP via Yahoo - Sep 16, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070916/ap_on_re_us/wildfires

2,000 evacuated as Calif. forest burns

Firefighters Sunday were battling two raging wildfires in Southern
California that forced nearly 2,000 people to evacuate.

The larger blaze burned 15,433 acres of dense, dry bush in the San
Bernardino National Forest and was 12 percent contained. Authorities
initially said the charred 18,000 acres but infrared mapping overnight
showed the fire was smaller.

About 340 residents were under mandatory orders to leave the Fawnskin
area and another 1,200 voluntarily left their homes in the resort
community of Green Valley Lake, Forest Service spokeswoman Carol
Beckley said.

However, cooler temperatures were expected to aid firefighters Sunday
and the fire was headed northwest away from the homes, Beckley said.
The fire was at least at least 10 miles from the nearest desert
community.

"Right now, it doesn't appear they're in much danger," she said. "The
fire would have to travel quite a bit."

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for San
Bernardino County on Saturday, clearing the way for state government
assistance with costs related to the fire.

The fire, which remained under investigation, burned several
outbuildings at a campground. About 1,800 firefighters were aided by 12
fixed-wing aircraft, 27 hand crews and 15 bulldozers.

In eastern San Diego County, a wildfire erupted Saturday northeast of
Julian, leading to the evacuation of about 400 people from the nearby
subdivision of Whispering Pines.

The Angel Fire, which grew to 1,000 acres overnight, was 20 percent
surrounded. One vacation home was destroyed and five outbuildings were
damaged. Full containment was expected by Tuesday.

New evacuation orders were issued for ranches and campgrounds along a
state road, but residents in southern Whispering Pines were allowed to
return to their homes Saturday night.

(This version CORRECTS evacuation figures based on new information from
fire officials.)

Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press.