Wind will be decisive factor in battling 60-acre Orange County wildfire; no homes threatened

Wind weighs on battle against Orange County blaze

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Firefighters battling a 60-acre blaze in Orange County are keeping an eye on the weather.

Capt. Greg McKeown of the Orange County Fire Authority says 50-mph wind gusts are expected later Wednesday and could fan the smoldering blaze back to life. He says wind will be the major factor that determines whether the fire grows.

The blaze erupted Tuesday night and is burning brushy hills in an unincorporated area near Anaheim. It’s 10 percent contained and no homes are immediately threatened.

About 200 firefighters and a helicopter are at the scene.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters say they are making good progress against a wind-driven wildfire burning in Southern California.

Orange County Fire Authority spokeswoman Lynnette Round says firefighters are beginning to get a line around the blaze, which broke out Tuesday night in Anaheim Hills. It has burned about 40 acres.

Firefighters have managed to keep the blaze on the east side of State Route 241, which is functioning as a firebreak.

Round says some 120 firefighters from Orange County, Anaheim Hills and the city of Orange are battling the fire. She says a water-dropping helicopter from Los Angeles County has been requested.

Winds are blowing at 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

Round says no homes are immediately threatened.