AUBERRY, Calif. (KMPH) -
Hundreds of people in the foothills near Auberry are hoping a wildfire will spare their homes.
The "Lanes Fire" sparked around 12:30 Saturday afternoon, threatened to burn 200 homes.
People who live on Beal Fire Road were told to evacuate their homes, and people living in the Meadow Lakes Community were told to be on standby.
Traffic on Highway 168 was shut down in both directions on the four-lane, for most of the day.
Two of the four lanes were re-opened to traffic late Saturday night.
Cal Fire officials say the fire was sparked by someone who threw a cigarette out the window while driving down the four-lane.
More than 400 firefighters are working overnight to contain the fire.
Throughout the day, planes dropped fire retardant on the Fresno County foothills, and helicopters dropped water on flames that crept toward homes.
"I've had the hoses out all day, I'm worried to death," said Erik Wheeler.
He and his wife packed their suitcases Saturday afternoon, after they were told to evacuate.
But Wheeler stuck around, wanting to do what he could to save his home.
"Embers were coming into the yard, we had to keep putting them out with buckets of water and the hose," said Wheeler.
150 acres burned before firefighters were able to stop the flames from spreading.
"We made good progress despite the 109 degree heat and dry conditions," said Cal Fire spokesman John Dominguez.
Nearly half a dozen firefighters were treated for heat-related injuries.
The fire was 20 percent contained by Saturday night.
"They'll be out on the line until tomorrow. We encourage them to drink water and take breaks when necessary," said Dominguez.
No homes or buildings were burned.
