Southern California Wildfire Forces More Evacuations

Authorities in Southern California have issued evacuation orders for hundreds of homes as a wildfire approaches in the mountains southwest of Palm Springs.

U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Carol Jandrall says large parts of the communities of Idyllwild and Fern Valley are being evacuated Wednesday evening.

Forest Service officials estimate between 300 and 400 homes are affected.

Residents are being allowed home to pick up essential items before evacuating.

About 60 homes were already under evacuation orders and seven have been destroyed or damaged by the wildfire that broke out Monday.

The fire has grown to more than 22 square miles Wednesday.

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