The Region - News from Dec. 1, 1986

A brush fire fanned by Santa Ana winds gusting to 50 m.p.h. burned to within 10 feet of homes in Norco before firefighters and residents managed to douse the flames. The fire, which seared 320 acres in Norco and Riverside, began on a brushy hillside just east of Crestlawn Memorial Park in Riverside. By the time firefighters from Norco and Riverside County arrived, flames were sweeping over the hills separating the two cities and threatening homes along Crestview Drive in Norco. Residents of about 75 homes were advised to evacuate, but many chose to stay and turned on hoses and sprinklers to protect their homes, fire officials said. Norco Fire Chief Herb Jewell said his department, with assistance from Orange County, Riverside County and Corona firefighters and crews from the U.S. Navy Fleet Analysis Center in Norco, placed fire engines at each of the houses nearest the flames and ignited backfires to help contain the blaze.