Forward progress of a large brush fire in the Antelope Valley was stopped at 2,690 acres Monday as containment grew to 31% and an evacuation order was lifted, but firefighters warned that the area was still not out of danger, with high temperatures and gusty winds expected to persist.
“Crews continue to mop up hot spots and build containment lines,” Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said Sunday evening.
Winds were expected to remain active into Monday but fire growth was not expected, officials said. Smoke and flare-ups were expected well within the areas that have already burned.
The fire was reported at about 12:50 p.m. Friday near Jesus Canyon Road and East Avenue Z in the Llano area, near the Los Angeles-San Bernardino County line.
An evacuation order was issued for the area of East Avenue Z and Fort Tejon Road, while evacuation warnings were established in other nearby areas, as the fire burned into the Angeles National Forest and advanced toward San Bernardino County.
On Sunday morning, the LACFD said all evacuation orders were lifted, but evacuation warnings remained in place for two zones between Angeles Crest Highway and state Route 138 on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, west of Pinon Hills.
Officials also announced that drones were prohibited over the area while crews were actively working the fire.
“Crews on the ground and in the air will remain vigilant in their efforts to mitigate and contain this fire,” officials said.
As of Sunday evening, the fire had damaged three residences and destroyed one, as well as damaging two minor structures and destroying one, officials said. No injuries have been reported.
Local temperatures were expected to drop to the lower 90s by Monday before rising again mid-week.
The firefighting effort was being handled under the unified command of the LACFD, the U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino County Fire, Cal Fire, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.