Evacuation Order Lifted As Massive Wildfire Burns in Southern California
— -- Overnight weather conditions today helped contain a massive wildfire burning in a basin near a Southern California dam that had forced the evacuations of about 300 homes.
The fire in the Prado Dam Flood Control Basin, which ignited about 6 p.m. local time Saturday, burned 300 acres as of this morning, according to Capt. Mike Mohler of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. But weather overnight improved containment, allowing officials to lift the evacuation order.
Mohler said the "large, explosive" wildfires throughout Southern California the past few days were "directly attributed" to the state's drought.
Mohler said 800 firefighters worked overnight to contain the fire but struggled to reach it.
"The fire is fueled by thick brush in a riverbed that hasn't burnt in years," Mohler told the Associated Press. "The fire is creating its own weather, so firefighters are having difficulty getting in there."
Mohler said there had been no injuries or building damage, but he said the fire had come within a half a mile of some homes.
Dana Estrella told ABC News she evacuated her home Saturday night.
"It's scary," she said. "There's not much water because of the drought, so everything is really dry."
Another resident, David Mejia, slept at his mother's home Saturday and returned home today to what he called a still smoky scene.
"I wanted to come back this morning to see if my house is still here," Mejia said. "People don't know what a fire is like unless they actually hear it. It's like a roar."
