Sierra Madre, California: A wildfire in Southern California that has scorched 270 acres and forced the evacuation of about 100 homes in neighbourhoods might not be under control for days, officials said on Sunday.

Firefighters originally had hoped to have the blaze contained on Sunday, but gusting winds late on Saturday night kept the fire burning out of control and creeping toward nearby homes, said Elisa Weaver of the Arcadia Fire Department.

The mandatory evacuation order came shortly before 11 p.m. The fire broke out on a hot, dry Saturday afternoon about 10 miles northeast of Pasadena, Weaver said.

More than 100 hikers were escorted out of a forest by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies, and Boy Scouts were evacuated from a camp, Weaver said. No injuries were reported.