Favorable winds help effort against Calif. fire

TEHACHAPI, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters were aided by winds that pushed a 20-square-mile blaze toward already burned land in Southern California, but the fire remains a threat to hundreds of homes.

The fire, which has blackened more than 13,000 acres, started Sunday near the town of Tehachapi when a single-engine Cessna crashed in a remote area of Kern County, killing two people on board. Since then, 12 homes and 18 outbuildings have been destroyed and two firefighters have been injured.

Gusts on Tuesday moved the fire away from a rugged, fuel-dense area to the northwest, fire spokesman Ian MacDonald said. About 650 homes and 200 people were under evacuation orders.

The fire is 40 percent contained, fire officials said.