Progress made on Calif. wildfire threatening town

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. — Crews made progress overnight against a Northern California wildfire that has grown to more than 4½ square miles and forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes.

The Wye Fire east of the community of Clearlake Oaks in Lake County was 25 percent contained early Monday morning. State fire officials say it is threatening 480 homes in Spring Valley and has already destroyed three structures. It was not immediately clear whether those were homes or outbuildings.

The fire started just before 4 p.m. Sunday and quickly grew out of control. It was burning on both sides of Highway 20 near the Highway 53 intersection.

Meanwhile, a second fire nearby in Lake County was 30 percent contained. The Walker Fire has burned more than 3 square miles and also forced evacuations.