Oregon Crews Continue Fight With Home-Destroying Fire

Crews fighting a wildfire near John Day, Ore., spent Tuesday trying to strengthen control lines to protect further damage to homes.

The lightning-sparked blaze on the Malheur National Forest has grown to 63 square miles and ruined at least 26 houses. Another 500 structures are threatened by the fire that is the No. 1 priority within Oregon for receiving resources when they become available.

More than 550 firefighters were at the scene earlier this week. Crews often dug lines by hand in areas too steep for bulldozers to climb, while helicopters doused hot spots from above.