Hundreds Evacuated as California Wildfire Threatens Homes

Jul 26, 2015 12:15 AM EDT

A new fire, being dubbed the Pine Fire, breaks out in the mountains near the ski community of Wrightwood, near the North Fire which caused people to abandon their vehicles and flee as flames jumped the 215 freeway in the early morning hours of July 18, 2015 near Victorville, California. The fire has burned across 3,500 acres and a private drone was reported to have raised serious safety concerns for aircraft pilots fighting the fire. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Hundreds of people were evacuated Saturday as authorities feared the Northern California wildfire could hit homes in the Sierra Nevada area, the state fire department said.

The wildfire already engulfed more than six square miles of timber and is threatening at least 150 rural homes, Lynne Tolmachoff, the state fire spokeswoman announced.

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The fire first erupted at around 2:30 p.m., forcing authorities to order evacuations in communities near Nevada County. The blaze turned drought-stricken timber into torches, spewing embers as far as half a mile, Tolmachoff added.

Authorities have not recorded any injuries as of this posting while mandatory evacuations were ordered for families living in Red Dog, Chalk Bluff and You Bet in Nevada. Evacuations were also called for the Cascade Shores community.

Investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the wildfire although authorities were hot on the trail of a white Jeep Wrangler that was seen in the area when the fire erupted.

"We are asking the public's help to find the White Jeep Wrangler, which was seen in the area when the fire erupted," authorities said.

As firefighters battle the Northern California wildfire, fire crews were battling another wild fire near Napa Valley wine country last Saturday.

At least 10 square miles of drought-parched area near Lake Berryessa has been burned although families occupying about 50 homes were allowed to return.

Cal Fire announced on Saturday that all mandatory evacuations have been lifted. All road closures were also opened but traffic authorities were continuously monitoring the freeway that links Sacramento and Reno.

As of Saturday morning, authorities announced that the wildfire was 55 percent contained.

The other wildfire in the southwest of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada, was also 75 percent contained Saturday morning. The said blaze had burned 200 acres of heavy timber.

Businesses close to the wildfire areas were not affected, a local commerce official said.

TagsCalifornia wildfire, wildfire, fire