Weather calms destructive California wildfires

Associated Press - July 29, 2010 5:44 PM ET

TEHACHAPI, Calif. (AP) - The weather has been cooperating with crews battling two wildfires Thursday that have destroyed homes and other buildings in California mountain communities.

Near Tehachapi, a 2 and a quarter-square-mile blaze was 25% contained after burning about 30 homes and other structures on the western edge of the Mojave Desert.

Cool, moist morning air helped crews, and while winds picked up Thursday afternoon, a fire official says, "the fire's not doing much."

Old West Ranch nonetheless remains evacuated, affecting about 150 people.

To the north, in the Sequoia National Forest a wildfire that has destroyed eight homes and a few outbuildings was 12% contained. The blaze has charred about 25 square miles of grass and brush around the Kern River.

Cooler temperatures and some overcast have helped calm the fire.