|
LOS ANGELES, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Firefighters are feeling a little bit relieved due to better weather conditions as they continue to fight to fully contain the wildfire near Los Angeles on Sunday.
The fire has burned 41,432 acres (about 167 square km) in Santa Clarita and was 93 percent contained as of Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Monsoonal moisture in and around the fire area is expected to increase the relative humidity to a range of 25 to 40 percent, and slightly cooler temperatures are also expected on Sunday, with a high of 94 degrees forecast for Santa Clarita.
Some 1,038 firefighters were working to mop up, put out hot spots and shore up and extend containment lines, according to the USFS.
The fire has destroyed 18 homes and killed a man since it broke out July 22 near Sand Canyon Road along the northbound Antelope Valley (14) Freeway.
An estimated 20,000 people were evacuated as the fire raged, but all those who evacuated were allowed to return home, with the last evacuation orders lifted on Friday.
A smoke advisory issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District for parts of the Santa Clarita Valley and San Gabriel Mountains is set to expire at midnight. People in those areas with respiratory problems are advised to stay indoors, and all residents are advised to use caution when going outside and to avoid using swamp coolers or wood-burning appliances.
The USFS said the fire was not active on the north, west and south sides. Hot spots are scattered along the southeast side, but the fire is not expected to spread. Firefighters advised people in the area that pockets of unburned vegetation will continue to burn for several days or even weeks, but that does not pose a threat to the contained fire line.
The wildfire broke out around 2 p.m. local time (2100 GMT) on July 22 near Sand Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. Fueled by high heat and dry woods, it has spread over one week. Enditem
