WEAVERVILLE, Calif. (AP) — State officials say a fast-growing wildfire near the Northern California town of Weaverville is threatening about 520 homes and businesses.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services said late Sunday the fire was about 2 miles west of the historic town and has forced the evacuation of about 150 homes.

State fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said the fire was sparked Sunday afternoon near a highway. It rapidly grew to a little more than 1 square mile, or 650 acres.

Berlant said crews struggled to contain the blaze because of the steep terrain, plus gusty winds and dry conditions that were fueling the flames.

Weaverville, at the base of the Trinity Alps Wilderness area in Trinity County, was a Gold Rush-era boom town in far northern California.

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