Southern California fire nearly contained

RANCHO MISSION VIEJO, Calif., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Southern California have contained 75 percent of a brush fire that burned more than 250 acres in Rancho Mission Viejo, authorities said.

The fire was contained late Monday to Verdugo Canyon at least two miles from any homes and was expected to be fully contained Tuesday by bulldozers and firefighters working through the night, The Orange County Register reported Tuesday.

Helicopters and planes were assisting with water drops that slowed the fire's expansion.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries while trying to contain the blaze in steep terrain amid heavy brush that had not burned in 40 years, said Capt. Greg McKeown of the Orange County Fire Authority.

A tractor clearing brush may have started the fire when it crashed into a power pole Monday, McKeown said.