Aug. 24--A wildfire burning near Snow Summit in Big Bear has scorched 85 acres and forced evacuations throughout the area, authorities said.
The fire erupted about 12:30 p.m. south of Big Bear Lake on U.S. Forest Service land, according to the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The Summit fire was burning in heavy brush and timber area made more combustible by the state's lingering drought. Firefighters are being assisted by several water-dropping helicopters and air-tankers.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for the area from Knickerbocker Road east to Georgia Road and south of Pennsylvania Road, authorities said.
Media reports said that hundreds of homes were threatened in the surrounding area.
A U.S. Forest Service spokesman told ABC-TV Channel 7 that no one had been injured and no structures have been damaged.
An evacuation center has been set up at the Big Bear Convention Center, at the intersection of Big Bear Boulevard and Division Road, said Lynnette Round, a Cal Fire spokeswoman.
Officials say the fire is about 10% contained. The cause remains under investigation.
