Wildfire threatens 500 Northern California homes

A fast-growing wildfire near the Northern California town of Weaverville forced the evacuation of about 150 homes and was threatening about 500 additional residences, authorities said early Monday.

The fire about 2 miles west of Weaverville was also threatening about 20 businesses and facilities, including the town airport and high school, said Lilly Wyatt, a spokeswoman with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

The fire was sparked Sunday afternoon near Highway 299, the main road into town, and rapidly grew to a little more than a square mile, state fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said.

Berlant said crews struggled to contain the blaze because of the steep terrain, plus gusty winds and dry conditions that were fueling the flames.

Wyatt, whose office was coordinating the response to the fire, said about 380 firefighters were battling the blaze.

KRCR-TV reported that the fire temporarily forced the closure of the highway, and that school was canceled for Monday.

Weaverville is at the base of the Trinity Alps Wilderness area in Trinity County. The Gold Rush-era boom town is on the National Register of Historic Places.