FORESTHILL. (AP) — A 120-acre fire in a steep, heavily wooded area of the American River Canyon is forcing the evacuation of several homes.

The evacuations were underway Wednesday night in the Foresthill area about 50 miles northeast of Sacramento.

Mendocino Forest wildfire

 spreads to 16,000 acres

WILLITS  (AP) — Federal fire officials say a wildfire in the Mendocino National Forest has now burned more than 16,000 acres and continues to spread.

Fire information officer Deb Schweizer said Wednesday that the fire was spreading mostly along its southern flank despite being under 35 percent containment. Firefighters have not been able go directly in that area due to its steepness.

Schweizer says officials have now issued an air quality alert due to heavy smoke in the area as more than 1,300 firefighters are battling the blaze in rugged terrain near Letts Lake.

70 percent containment

in Colusa County wildfire

MAXWELL  (AP) — State fire officials say a large wildfire burning near the farming community of Maxwell in rural Colusa County continues to be contained.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant said Wednesday the fire at the so-called Sites Complex has reached 70 percent containment after more than doubling in size on Monday.

Berlant said nearly 1,300 firefighters are putting out hot spots and now have gained the upper hand on the blaze that originally began as five separate fires.

Wildfire burns near

Banning; no homes threatened

BANNING  (AP) — A wildfire in Riverside County off State Route 243 south of Banning has now burned 45 acres of brushland but authorities say it's 80 percent contained and no homes are threatened.

About 175 firefighters and four air tankers are on the scene. They're hoping to knock down the flames before the day gets any hotter. The National Weather Service says highs in the county could reach 108 in some areas.