By Associated Press

MAMMOTH LAKES — Firefighters are battling a wildfire in the Eastern Sierra that has led to the evacuation of a campground and several ranches and private developments near Mammoth Lakes.

The U.S. Forest Service says the blaze broke out Saturday about 7 miles north of the ski resort town along Highway 395.

It has burned at least 500 acres of brush and timber in Inyo National Forest, sending a plume of smoke visible for miles along the highway corridor.

Officials say the fire forced an unknown number of people to evacuate from the Big Springs campground, a popular climbing area called Clark Canyon and nearby ranches and private developments.

However, they say there are no threats to Mammoth Lakes.