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Cooler Weather Helps Crews Gain Ground On California Wildfires

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- Authorities say cooler temperatures overnight helped firefighters battling several wildfires in Northern and central California.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Sunday all containment lines at the fires burning in the Sierra foothills held well overnight.

Cal Fire says the Trailhead Fire has burned about six square miles and threatens 2,600 structures with 12 percent containment.

The fire burning in El Dorado and Placer Counties started Tuesday afternoon, rapidly growing as it charged through inaccessible terrain, and climbed out of a steep canyon along the middle fork of the American River.

A mandatory evacuation order is in effect in parts of El Dorado County, but authorities have downgraded orders to advisory evacuations in Placer County.

COALINGA: The situation improved Sunday on Curry Mountain, southwest of Coalinga, where evacuation orders remained in place for homes threatened by a wildfire that burned almost 3,000 acres and temporarily closed State Route 198, a main artery crossing the Coast Range between Interstate 5 and Highway 101.

TEHACHAPI: Farther south, firefighters made progress overnight on a fire that threatened up to 300 homes in a gated community in the Tehachapi Mountains. Kern County fire officials said Sunday the fire burned 2.8 square miles and was 40 percent contained.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report

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