Jennifer Auther: Winds now concern in California fire

CNN Correspondent Jennifer Auther talked about the California fire from her vantage point at the fire's north end, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Q: What's the situation there right now?

AUTHER: It's a 600-acre fire. Ventura County and Los Angeles County fire departments have sent about 200 firefighters and three helicopters. Aerial tankers have been dropping fire retardant since sunrise. There have been no major injuries, no mandatory evacuations or homes lost.

The fire began at about 2:30 a.m. Pacific time. The cause is unknown. Concern is high right now about Santa Ana winds. There is a wind advisory until 3 p.m. Pacific time. Right now, the winds are 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, I'm told. There are no containment numbers available right now.

Q: How are people reacting to the fire?

AUTHER: I'm at the Hidden Canyon Townhomes, which have about 670 units. Residents here said they awakened about 3 a.m. They are very worried, but they don't have their hoses out just yet. One resident, Dennis Harding, who has lived here for 15 years, told me he couldn't see the flames when he first looked outside, so he got in his truck and drove to a canyon where he could see the flames. He said by the time he drove back to his house, about 8 miles, the flames had come back over the top of the hill.

The concern has very much waned. The flames were close, firefighters got close and extinguished them.

Q: California has seen a lot of wildfires. Do you get the sense that people there know what to do in this situation?

AUTHER: I went into one home and I could see a suitcase out and opened where a woman had thrown some clothes and shoes in, and was prepared to leave. There was a moment where people were asked to gather up important things like insurance papers in case there was an evacuation ordered. But no mandatory evacuations have been ordered.

Strong winds fuel brush fire near Los Angeles
December 26, 2000
Firefighters spend Christmas Day battling Florida brush fire
December 25, 2000
Earthquake shakes southern California
December 24, 2000

Los Angeles County Fire Department

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.