A firefighter stands by a fire truck as a wildfire burns
near Anaheim Hills, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 25,
2009. Firefighters say they are making good progress
against a wind-driven wildfire burning in Southern
California. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A quickly expanding wildfire burning in the Anaheim Hills area near Los Angeles threatens homes as firefighters were concerned that dry conditions and wind on Wednesday may allow the fire to expand. Officials said that the blaze which had consumed 60 acres as of Tuesday night was 10% contained but they were calling in additional equipment and personnel for assistance.
Dubbed the '241 Fire' due to its proximity to State Route 241, had not burned any structures as of early Wednesday morning but weather conditions were cause for concern. The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures to be near 80 degrees in the area however humidity levels will drop during the day and winds are expected to gust as high as 25 mph.
Late season Santa Ana winds allowed the blaze to move quickly across the brush-covered hills in Orange County. Firefighters were using Route 241 as a firebreak, trying to keep the blaze on the east side of the road. Homes lie within one mile of the road on the west side and should the fire jump it, residents will be forced to evacuate quickly.
120 firefighters from Orange County, Anaheim Hills and the city of Orange are on scene battling the blaze. The Orange County Fire Authority said they were requesting a water-dropping helicopter from Los Angeles County to assist in the battle.
A firefighter stands along State Route 241 as he watches smoke rising from a wildfire near Anaheim Hills,
Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. Fire engines were parked on the freeway as crews lay hoses amid swirling
smoke and erratic winds. About 30 engines and 90 firefighters were on the scene. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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