Wildfire Prompts Evacuations In Southern Calif. Forest
GLENDORA, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire in the Angeles National Forest has exploded to about 700 acres, forcing the evacuation of about 12,000 visitors who flocked to campgrounds for the holiday weekend.
The fire is sending a huge cloud of smoke that's visible from many parts of the Los Angeles basin.
Forest spokeswoman L'Tanga (luh-TAHN-juh) Watson said the fire broke out near a campground Sunday afternoon. It quickly grew to several hundred acres as flames chewed thick brush that was not touched by the destructive Station Fire in 2009.
Watson said the fire was burning near a popular recreational area and also forced the evacuation of the private community of Camp Williams Resort.
About 200 firefighters, aided by four water-dropping helicopters and four airtankers, are attacking the blaze.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.)
