The Latest: 300 mountain homes threatened by California fire

Alameda County firefighter Wally Armstrong cools down hot spots in front of a residence leveled by the Loma fire near Morgan Hill, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (The Associated Press)

An inmate firefighter examines a burning structure while battling the Loma fire near Morgan Hill, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (The Associated Press)

Vintage cars line a property after the Loma fire burned through Loma Chiquita Road near Morgan Hill, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. A heat wave stifling drought-stricken California has worsened a wildfire that burned some buildings and forced people from their homes. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (The Associated Press)

The Latest on California wildfires (all times local):

7 a.m.

At least 300 homes are threatened by a growing wildfire chewing through timber and dry brush in a remote area of California's Santa Cruz Mountains.

Cal Fire says Wednesday that the destructive blaze south of San Jose has grown to more than 3.5 square miles. It's just 10 percent contained.

Evacuation orders are in place for residents of several canyons and other rugged areas, some accessible by only dirt roads.

One residence has been gutted by flames and at least six outbuildings are destroyed.

The blaze broke out Monday during a statewide heat wave that brought witheringly low humidity and temperatures in the upper 90s.

To the north in Sonoma County, crews extinguished a fire Tuesday that destroyed four houses in a neighborhood in Petaluma. Several other homes were damaged.