GILROY, Calif. — Firefighters took advantage of cooler temperatures and calmer winds Saturday as they fought a persistent wildfire in the Santa Cruz Mountains that has chewed through acres of centuries-old redwoods, destroyed at least 17 homes and displaced hundreds of people.
Efforts were also helped by the higher humidity, but a possible storm could bring lightning and stronger winds that could spread the fire, officials said. The fire was about 25 percent contained and expected to grow to more than 6 square miles before it’s brought under control, fire officials said.
Almost 2,000 residents remained under evacuation orders — more than 450 of them mandatory — while more than 3,000 personnel and a swarm of air tankers, helicopters and fire engines were deployed to the area.
