Assisted by favorable weather conditions, firefighters continue to increase containment of three major Southern California wildfires that have burned more than 117,000 acres, destroyed 242 structures and led to 24 injuries.
A late-summer heat wave fueled conditions for explosive growth, but cooler-than-usual temperatures and higher humidity in recent days have contributed to fire crews getting the upper hand on the wildfires, said Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
The Bridge fire, which has scorched more than 54,000 acres in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, remains the largest active fire in California. But the fire, which started Sept. 8 in the Angeles National Forest, was 69% contained as of Sunday, according to an update from Cal Fire.
Crews are continuing mop-up efforts on the fire’s south flank, authorities said. Aircraft will use retardant and water to contain the rest of the blaze.