Calif. Fire Prompts Evacuation of Thousands

[phantom power]

February 07,2006 | ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Nearly 2,000 homes were under a mandatory evacuation order early Tuesday as firefighters battled a wildfire that had consumed an estimated 3,500 acres near Orange County suburbs.

Officials said firefighters were making progress, but they warned of high Santa Ana wind and low humidity during the day.

No residential damage had been reported, but homes were evacuated as a precaution, said Orange County Fire Authority spokesman Stephen Miller. A Red Flag warning, signifying a high fire danger, was in effect through Wednesday afternoon.

"The Santa Anas blow right through here and they're supposed to blow for another couple of days. That's the scary part. They can really get going," said Gary Treguboff, who lives in the Serrano Heights area of Orange.

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