8,000-acre blaze in Riverside County destroys seven homes

Fire officials doubled-down Tuesday on the Mountain fire in Riverside County, sending out more than 2,200 firefighters to battle a blaze that has quickly spread to 8,000 acres near Idyllwild and destroyed several homes and structures, authorities said.

The fire in Mountain Center, near the junction of California 74 and 243, has claimed seven homes, including three houses and three mobile homes in the Bonita Vista community, said Carol Jandrall, a fire information officer with the U.S. Forest Service.

Another residence there was damaged, authorities said.

In Pine Springs, one commercial building, a workshop, a garage and a cabin were destroyed. Across the entire fire area, 11 outbuildings and four to six vehicles have been destroyed.

Nearly 75 fire crews are working on the fire, burning through the timber and chaparral in the steep, rugged terrain of the San Jacinto Wilderness’ southern end, in the Apple Canyon and Bonita Vista areas, authorities said. Winds continue pushing the fire eastward.

“It’s super steep, and a lot of brush and trees,� Jandrall said. “It’s very difficult to fight, and it’s hot.�

The fire, first reported Monday afternoon, is 10% contained, and the potential for growth is “extreme,� according to information released Tuesday evening by fire officials.

Mandatory evacuations began Monday and have extended to about 50 homes, including those in Fleming Ranch, Bonita Vista and Andreas Canyon Club, as well as the Living Free animal sanctuary and Zen Mountain Center.

Authorities stressed that unless the winds shift significantly, the mountain community of Idyllwild isn’t threatened by the blaze.

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