LAKE ELSINORE - The Santiago fire in the Cleveland National Forest halted its eastward advance about two miles west of the Riverside County line early Saturday, fire officials said.

The fire, which started near Santiago Canyon Road in southeastern Orange County, grew slightly as it marched north overnight and through Saturday, to 27,630 acres. Firefighters had the blaze 40 percent contained at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Nearly 2,000 firefighters and 13 helicopters were battling the fire Saturday, according to CalFire. Five firefighters have been injured battling the wildfire, according to Dennis Cross of the Los Angeles County fire department, which has contributed personnel.

Portions of Santiago Canyon Road, Live Oak Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon Road and Plano Trabuco Road remained closed Saturday.

"No news is good news," said Donna Hummel, a public information officer with an ad hoc team of Orange County, state and federal firefighters. "When we don't hear anything, it means that things are going as planned. We've painted that ridge with (fire) retardant. We're all hopeful that our briefing tonight will show that we've gained even more ground."

The cooler weather was a big factor in helping firefighters, Cross said. No additional structures were damaged Saturday.

Six miles southeast of Temecula, meanwhile, 2,123 firefighters continued to battle the Poomacha fire, which grew to 45,000 acres Saturday afternoon from 39,000 acres on Friday. The fire began on the western slopes of Palomar Mountain and has led to evacuations in the communities of Valley Center, Pauma Valley and Pala, many of which have since been lifted.

500 residents in the area of Palomar Mountain remain threatened by the blaze, which has so far destroyed 136 homes and 19 other structures. 18 firefighters have been injured battling the Poomacha fire.

Dana Tenold, a public information officer with the Oregon Department of Forestry, which has sent firefighters to the area, said crews have begun to slow the fire's advance. They hope to have it fully contained on Monday and are virtually certain that it will not reach Riverside County.