A wildfire that broke out in Riverside County on Monday has exploded in size, burning 2,600 acres and closing a major freeway as urgent evacuation orders were issued.
The Shore Fire, which was burning in the area of San Timoteo Canyon southwest of Calimesa, started Monday just before 3:30 p.m. and quickly scorched 100 acres, according to Cal Fire.
The blaze prompted evacuation orders in the area and forced the closure of the 60 Freeway westbound at Interstate 10.
By midnight, the fire had erupted to more than 2,000 acres.
An evacuation shelter was set up at Valley View High School for people and pets, with another established at the San Jacinto Animal Campus for large animals.
The cause remains under investigation.
The fire broke out the same day a brush fire started near homes in the Stevenson Ranch area of the Santa Clarita Valley.
The blaze was reported in a hiking area within Pico Canyon Park near Magnolia Lane.
