Wind-driven wildfire breaks out in Southern California hills, authorities shut down freeway

Southern Calif. wildfire spreads amid gusty winds

ANAHEIM, Calif. — A wind-driven wildfire broke out south of Los Angeles Tuesday night as late season Santa Ana winds blasted down burning slopes toward homes.

Gusts of winds are sending flames racing across the brush in Anaheim Hills in Orange County. The fire is burning on the east side of a roadway, which is functioning as a firebreak, Fire Authority Capt. Greg McKeown said.

Crews are trying to keep the fire on the road’s east side because there are homes on the west side, less than a mile from the road. State Route 241 was ordered shut down in both directions, McKeown said. No homes have been evacuated.

The notorious Santa Anas usually sweep in between October and February as dry air descending over the Great Basin flows toward Southern California and squeezes through mountain passes and canyons.

Downslope winds are throwing up embers, which could start spot fires, McKeown said.

Fire engines were parked on the freeway as crews worked to lay hoses. Officials called for more firefighting resources, but firefighting helicopters and aircraft can’t fly in dark and smoky conditions.