Alabama trying to contain wildfire before high winds

VANDIVER, Ala. (AP) — Firefighters sought Tuesday to contain a wildfire that had spread to nearly 750 acres (303 hectares) of forest southeast of Birmingham before the approach of high winds that could spread the blaze even further.

With forecasters predicting the possibility of winds approaching hurricane strength in the area on Wednesday, an update from fire agencies said crews were making a “hard push” to create breaks that would slow the spread of flames.

While daytime winds could fan the flames, the weather service predicted rain that could also help douse it after dark.

The fire, which began near a residential area on heavily forested Double Oak Mountain in Shelby County, was burning in rough terrain that made it difficult for firefighters to work. While some homes were endangered by the fire, no structural damage or injuries were reported.

Officials haven’t said what caused the blaze, which began Saturday afternoon, but it started at an address in a subdivision near Vandiver and authorities say it’s a bad time to burn debris. Smoke from the fire is visible from miles away.