Firefighters defend a home as a wild land fire burns in the Pfeiffer Ridge area in Big Sur, Calif. on Monday De.c 16, 2013. (AP Photo/ Monterey County Herald, David Royal)
December 16, 2013 - 6:53 PM
BIG SUR, Calif. - At least 15 homes have been destroyed and about 100 people have been forced to evacuate as a wildfire burns in the Big Sur area, a popular tourist destination along California's central coast. No injuries were reported.
Los Padres National Forest spokesman Andrew Madsen says the fire broke out early Monday near Pfeiffer Ridge Road and state Highway 1, about 1.4 miles (2.25 kilometres) from the Ventana Inn. He says it has burned about 500 acres (202 hectares).
Madsen says officials were hopeful that they could contain it within the next couple of days.
Madsen says the Red Cross has set up an overnight shelter for people who have been displaced by the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013