Firefighters continued to gain control Tuesday over a brush fire that has scorched 180 acres in the Silverado Canyon area of unincorporated Orange County, authorities said.
The fire broke out just before 11 a.m. Monday near Santiago Canyon Road and the California 241 toll road, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
The fire was ignited when a worker handling a mower on an access road hit something that created a spark, which flew into light grass and launched flames that overtook the hillside, said Capt. Steve Concialdi.
Even though the crew had a water tender that sprays the area to avoid such incidents, the grass was so light and dry that the fire spread too fast, Concialdi said.