Wildfire near California-Nevada line destroys 40 homes

SWALL MEADOWS, Calif. (AP) - Forty homes were destroyed in a wind-driven wildfire that charred more than 10 square miles of timber and brush and prompted the mandatory evacuation of two small Northern California towns near the Nevada state line, officials said Saturday.

The blaze on the border of Inyo and Mono counties was 30 percent contained as winds died down and rained moved in, Cal Fire Capt. Liz Brown said.

"The worst appears to be over," Brown said, adding that crews had stopped the fire's forward progress.

Flames fanned by sustained winds of up to 75 mph whipped through wooded areas near Town of Paradise and Swall Meadows on Friday night. Brown said 40 residences and several outbuildings were destroyed.

A few dozen people were evacuated Friday from the two rural communities northwest of Bishop. An evacuation center was set up at Crowley Lake Community Center.

A firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.

Crews responded from several agencies, including the Orange County Fire Authority in Southern California.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.