Progress on S. Ore. wildfire that threatened homes

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — Officials say a wind-driven wildfire near the rural Southern Oregon community of Williams has been 75 percent contained after racing across half a square mile and destroying one vacant home and several vehicles.

Rogue Valley Incident Management Team spokesman Don Hickman said as many as 150 homes were threatened earlier Friday. He says air tankers and helicopters dropping retardant and water focused on the structures most at risk.

Oregon Forestry Department spokesman Brian Ballou says about 75 people were believed to have left their homes but some were returning.

Ballou says fire crews were able to make progress as the wind dropped and the blaze burned into a large grassy field where bulldozers could cut off its advance and helicopters could drop water on it.

He said about 120 firefighters planned to work through the night.

Gov. John Kitzhaber authorized the state fire marshal to send additional firefighters and equipment.