A wildfire burns over a ridge toward Summit Valley, Calif., Sunday afternoon, Aug. 7, 2016. A rapidly growing forest fire in Southern California has prompted the evacuation of several dozen homes. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)
A wildfire burns in the background behind a sightseer as smoke billows over Silverwood Lake on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 7, 2016, in Crestline, Calif. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)
Heavy smoke looms up over Lake Gregory and mountaintop homes in Crestline, Calif., as a wildfire threatens the San Bernardino Mountains village about 55 miles east of Los Angeles, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. (Rachel Luna/The Sun via AP)
U.S. Forest Service firefighters break a lock on a gate as they prepare to battle a wildfire in Summit Valley, Calif., on Sunday August 7, 2016. The wildfire stretched between Silverwood Lake and Summit Valley. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire as it raged near Silverwood Lake on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in Crestline, Calif. It is burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.— Firefighters are battling a wildfire in Southern California that grew to more than 2 square miles in mere hours and forced the evacuation of homes near a reservoir.
The fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the San Bernardino National Forest, prompted the evacuation order of the sparsely populated Summit Valley area east of the dam.
The fire is burning about 55 miles east of Los Angeles in a remote area near Silverwood Lake, a state recreation area, near the small mountain community of Crestline.
U.S. Forest Service spokesman Robert Taylor says 20 mph winds pushed a huge plume of smoke north toward the Mojave Desert.
Officials warn that air quality may reach unhealthy levels in the areas affected by the smoke.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
.....We hope you appreciate our content. Subscribe Today to continue reading this story, and all of our stories.
