Calif. wildfire prompts evacuation

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California wildfire was almost fully contained Saturday after forcing thousands to evacuate, destroying several homes and closing a six-mile stretch of scenic Highway 1, fire officials said.

The fire near Watsonville was 90 percent contained and could be surrounded by the end of the day, said officials of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It had charred 630 acres, or less than a square mile.

“We made some good progress over the evening and hope to have the same today,” said department spokesman Paul Van Gerwen, a battalion chief.

However, evacuation orders remained in place Saturday for the roughly 2,000 people who fled their homes Friday.

About 650 firefighters were working in hot, dry weather to contain the blaze, which destroyed as many as 15 buildings, including several homes, and closed Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County for hours, fire officials said.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation, Van Gerwen said.

In New Mexico, more than 700 firefighters battled blazes in the northern and southern parts of the state that have charred nearly 100 square miles, including more than 4,000 acres on a ranch owned by media mogul Ted Turner.