California fire threatens hundreds of homes

A wildfire that erupted in Northern California forced evacuations as it threatened about 500 homes and other buildings Tuesday, authorities said.

The Rices Fire erupted at around 2 p.m. near the Yuba River in Nevada County and had spread to more than 500 acres by nightfall. The flames also threatened power lines, water delivery systems and a state park.The rural area is in the Sierra Nevada and about halfway between the state Capitol and the Nevada border.Authorities earlier said the fire began with a burning building and the flames spread to nearby dry vegetation.