LOS ANGELES _ A fast-moving wildfire that ignited in a remote off-road vehicle park in the Cleveland National Forest in Southern California grew to 700 acres overnight, officials said Friday.
The Wildomar fire, which began Thursday after a motorcyclist crashed into a tree, was 15 percent contained. The blaze jumped from 20 to 200 acres in less than two hours and sent huge plumes of thick, black smoke into the air.
The fire was reported about 12:30 p.m. local time.
An 18-year-old man was riding alone on a dirt road when he hit a bump and lost control of the Yamaha motorcycle he was driving, crashing into a tree, California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Lassig said. The throttle of the motorcycle got stuck, and the tank sprang a leak, lighting the tree and surrounding brush on fire.
The rider attempted to put out the flames "using what was around him," then ran two to three miles to grab his cellphone in his truck and call authorities, Lassig said.
The rider, who was wearing a helmet and off-road motorcycle gear, sustained minor scrapes, Lassig added.
Hundreds of firefighters _ including air and ground crews _ were battling the blaze. Fire officials said cooler temperatures over the weekend should help contain the flames.
"We're hoping that'll get us the head start that we need," said Olivia Walker, public affairs officer for the Cleveland National Forest.
Authorities ordered evacuations for five residences on Hixson Truck Trail and parts of the La Cresta community. An evacuation warning has also been issued for the Lakeland Village and Bear Creek communities.
The off-roading trails are mostly used on the weekends by motorcyclists and Jeep drivers, said Jeanna Smith, an administrative assistant for Cleveland National Forest. Riders must be equipped with spark arresters, Smith said.
"We have pretty strict rules" because of the fire danger, she added.
In some areas, the trails are surrounded by oily chaparral up to 20 feet tall that has not burned in decades, Smith said.
"The fuels are still really, really dry out there," Smith said. "Luckily the winds aren't blowing like they were (during) the Canyon 2 fire" in Anaheim, she said.
