JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: And people in Southern California have another problem to contend with, that huge wildfire that has already charred thousands of acres in San Diego County. CNN's Jim Hill is in alpine with the very latest -- Jim.</s>JIM HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Jeanne. Firefighters are hoping they can make some real progress trying to encircle or contain this troublesome wildfire burning outside the town of Alpine, California. That's because they believe there's going to be a change in the weather. Now, this fire broke out early yesterday, and all day, and through much of the night, it was a wind-driven fire. It was pushed by hot, dry Santa Ana winds, as they call them, gusting in some cases over 50 miles an hour. Under those conditions, five homes were destroyed; over 300 people, we're told, were evacuated; and parts of Interstate 8, the main highway between San Diego, California and Yuma, Arizona; had to be closed. Now those people are beginning to go home who were evacuated, and firefighters say they have encircled 10 percent of this blaze. They say a major change in the weather will produce winds coming from the opposite direction, coming from the west this time, and that will be a big help to them, bringing cooler and more humid weather. There are 2,000 firefighters on the ground, trying to contain this blaze, they are being helped by up to nine air tankers, as well as nine helicopters, and no fewer than 220 fire engines have come in from around the country to help in this effort. So they are hopeful they can make some good progress today. I'm Jim Hill, CNN, reporting live near Alpine, California.
California Wildfire: Firefighters Hoping to Make Progress with Weather Change