California fire officials Thursday updated the status of wildfires still burning around the southern third of the state.

The Harris fire burning between San Diego and the Mexican border grew to 81,100 acres and was 10 percent contained. The fire remained active due to low humidity and heavy fuel. New evacuations were ordered when the blaze jumped Lake Barrett.

Slight containment was achieved on the southeast side of the Slide fire in San Bernardino County. The blaze is moving south and has grown to 11,675 acres. It remains a threat to about 10,000 homes in the Lake Arrowhead area and mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect.

The Witch and Poomacha fires in northern San Diego County are a combined 237,000 acres, burning primarily in the Mount Palomar area. Both are listed as 30 percent contained. The mountain terrain can create stiff localized winds and humidity remained low. The Witch fire burned more than 600 homes this week.

Arson has been ruled the cause of the Santiago Canyon blaze in Orange County. The fire has burned 26,000 acres and is 30 percent contained. At least 14 homes have been lost and some 3,000 remain threatened in Foothill Ranch and other subdivisions.  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International



Publication date: 26 October 2007   

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