Firefighters gain ground on blaze
Firefighters made progress late Friday on a fast-moving fire that had burned homes, forced thousands to evacuate and closed a six-mile stretch of scenic Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials said the 500-acre fire was 50% contained Friday evening.
Full containment was expected today.
Although 2,000 people had been evacuated earlier in the day, the improving situation resulted in Santa Cruz County closing its overnight evacuation center, according to spokeswoman Chris Hirsch.
Hirsch said those needing overnight housing were sent to a Red Cross evacuation center.
Hirsch said at least nine structures had burned.
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