Wildfire closes Northern California highway

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a wildfire sending up a huge plume of smoke has closed a highway in Northern California.

The California Highway Patrol shut down State Route 12 in both directions around midday Sunday, about an hour after the blaze was reported just east of Fairfield in Solana County.

Much of the region is under a red flag warning for increased fire danger amid dry and gusty conditions.

It’s not immediately known how big the fire is, or whether it’s threatening any structures.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports powerful winds are blowing smoke some 50 miles (81 kilometers) south.

A blaze about 10 miles (17 kilometers) to the north briefly shut down Interstate 505 Sunday before it was contained.

And further north, crews are battling a brush fire in Tehama County.