Fire destroys homes in southern California

More than 2,000 firefighters struggled to contain a wildfire Tuesday in mountain terrain in Southern California's Riverside County. The Mountain fire spread to 8,000 acres, the Los Angeles Times reported. Officials said it had gutted three houses, three mobile homes, several outbuildings, a garage and a commercial building as well as four to six vehicles. The fire was first reported Monday, and evacuations were ordered. Residential areas, the Living Free animal sanctuary and the Zen Mountain Center were all ordered emptied. By late Tuesday, 2,200 firefighters in 75 crews were on the scene, officials said. While the fire was 10 percent contained Tuesday, officials said high winds were also shifting the flames east. It affected communities including Pine Springs and Mountain Center. "It's super steep, and a lot of brush and trees," Carol Jandrall, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service, said. "It's very difficult to fight, and it's hot."