UPDATE (12:07 PM): A wildfire in Southern California’s Cleveland National Forest is 15% contained and rain is in the forecast after a spell of dry, summerlike heat.
As of early Thursday, the Jim Fire has charred 553 acres on the steep slopes of the Santa Ana Mountains northeast of Rancho Santa Margarita. No structures are threatened.
Firefighters on the ground and in the air battled a fast-moving wildfire Wednesday in Southern California’s Cleveland National Forest.
The fire was reported around midday in the Holy Jim Trail area and quickly consumed more than 65 acres of brush along steep slopes. Five air tankers and two helicopters dropped water and retardant on the blaze, dubbed the Jim Fire.
The fire sent up a huge plume of smoke visible across Orange County. Winds in the area were light. No structures were threatened.
The cause was under investigation.