WATSONVILLE, Calif. – Officials are preparing to lift evacuation orders for about 85 homes that were threatened by a wildfire in the Santa Cruz Mountains, as crews make progress against the blaze.
State fire spokesman Justin Smith says residents of the rugged area north of Santa Cruz should be able to return to their homes around 1 p.m. Monday.
Winds up to 40 mph Sunday pushed the fire to 600 acres, destroying a trailer and two outbuildings. Smith says those winds have dropped to between 6 and 12 miles per hour, helping firefighters corral the blaze.
The fire is 20 percent contained although officials expect that number to climb significantly Monday.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. It's burning in the same place where a wildfire scorched 4,200 acres in May 2008.
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