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50-mph gusts feared at Calif. wildfire
Crews hope for containment soon; 85 homes were threatened earlier
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SAN FRANCISCO - Firefighters are scrambling to contain a wildfire in the Santa Cruz Mountains ahead of a weather system that's expected to bring high winds.
The fire in a rugged area north of Santa Cruz is now about 75 percent contained after burning 485 acres.
Justin Smith, a state fire department spokesman, says firefighters are trying to fully contain the blaze by Tuesday afternoon, when gusts of up to 50 mph are expected.
The fire, which began Sunday, has burned a trailer and two outbuildings. It briefly forced the evacuation of 85 homes in the same area where a wildfire scorched 4,200 acres in May 2008.
The evacuation order was lifted Monday. Residents were allowed to return to their homes during the early afternoon, Smith said.
On Monday, crews laying hoses and clearing vegetation were helped when winds eased after gusting to about 40 mph on Sunday.
The fire began early Sunday in Santa Clara County then spread to Santa Cruz County. The cause remained under investigation.
About 1,700 firefighters were fighting the blaze. Four suffered minor injuries.
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