Containment of the Summit Fire in the Antelope Valley increased to 86% Wednesday as firefighters continue to make significant progress building and strengthening control lines.
Dry conditions have resulted in low relative humidities with minimal overnight recovery, according to a public information officer for the Summit Fire Unified Command, which consists of Los Angeles County Fire Department, Cal Fire and U.S. Forest Service Angeles National Forest.
These conditions, combined with exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures, may reveal once-dormant heat sources across the incident. Larger fuels and interior pockets of unburned vegetation will continue to burn off, the officer said.
An Extreme Heat Warning will remain in effect through 8 p.m. Thursday. An onshore wind push is forecast for Thursday afternoon, bringing southerly wind gusts between 25 and 35 mph.
There are no plans to issue a Red Flag Warning for the Summit Fire footprint, as the threat of thunderstorm activity has dropped significantly, according to the public information officer.
Over the next 24 to 48 hours, the prolonged exposure to direct sun, extreme heat, and low relative humidities will keep fuels highly receptive, potentially exposing deeper, previously dormant heat sources, the officer said in a statement released at 6:07 p.m. Wednesday.
Heavy fuels will continue to smolder well within the containment lines. If conditions continue to trend as predicted over the next 72 hours, fire behavior is expected to remain minimal with no anticipated growth or significant active fire spread, according to the officer.
There were 536 personnel assigned to the fire Wednesday, along with 45 engines, four water tenders and four dozers, according to Cal Fire.
The fire was 64% contained Tuesday night when there were 799 personnel assigned to the blaze, along with 53 engines, 10 water tenders and four dozers, according to Cal Fire.
The fire has threatened 112 structures, destroyed five and damaged seven others, according to Cal Fire.
Two firefighters were injured. Details about the seriousness of the injuries were not immediately available.
The was reported at about 12:50 p.m. Friday near Jesus Canyon Road and East Avenue Z, near the Los Angeles-San Bernardino County line.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.