California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the Mountain fire, which has burned more than 24,000 acres since Monday, reports the Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/12CI6Cu).
Newsom made the declaration as acting governor. He is filling in for Gov. Jerry Brown, who is vacationing in Europe.
The declaration smooths the way for state agencies to aid in the control of the fire and subsequent recovery efforts.
The fire continues to burn north of Idyllwild, close to the community of Pine Cove, which fire officials were considering evacuating. Idyllwild, Fern Valley and Trails End remain under mandatory evacuation orders. California 243 has been closed south of Pine Cove to Mountain Center.
Despite the efforts of 3,300 firefighters and water-dropping aircraft, the fire is only 15% contained.
