Los Angeles fire seen fully contained by Monday

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Firefighters have the upper hand
on a wildfire on the outskirts of Los Angeles that has burned
24,000 acres and they expect to have it fully contained by
Monday evening, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire
Department said on Saturday.

“It looks like we’re at about 40 percent containment,” said
Ron Haralson, an inspector with the department. “We’re looking
at having it 100 percent contained by Monday, 6 p.m.”

The so-called Topanga fire in hilly terrain in the
northwest part of the county started on Wednesday and spread
quickly because of strong and hot wind.

Cooler weather is helping to slow the fire, which has
forced local authorities to issued air quality warnings because
of smoke but has largely spared residential areas.

“We have lost two single family dwellings, or two homes,
one detached garage and three out buildings, and we have had
six injuries to firefighters,” Haralson said. “Those range from
serious to minor.”

A falling boulder hurt one firefighter, while others have
suffered sprained ankles and bee stings.