California wildfire burns 125 acres, prompting voluntary evacuations of hundreds of homes

Sunday, November 12th 2006, 10:47 pm

By: News On 6

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (AP) A wildfire was burning out of control Sunday across 125 acres of hillside brush and trees in Riverside County, prompting authorities to order voluntary evacuations for 100 homes, officials said.

The fire threatened about 300 homes in Lake Elsinore, according to Capt. Julie Hutchinson of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

It broke out Sunday evening and chewed through dense brush and trees covering hills west of Lake Elsinore and north of Highway 74, she said. About 180 firefighters were working the blaze.

``We're definitely concerned about it growing,'' Hutchinson said.

The cause was under investigation.

Lake Elsinore is located about 75 miles east of Los Angeles.