Monrovia fire is 55% contained; more evacuation orders lifted

Officials continued lifting evacuation orders in Monrovia on Sunday morning as firefighters gained increasing control of a blaze that has charred over 100 acres and threatened 400 homes.

The fire began in a residential backyard on Saturday morning, burning brush on steep terrain near the Arcadia Wilderness Park in northern Monrovia, officials said. At its peak, flames came within 80 yards of homes and prompted fire officials to evacuate 15 streets.

By Sunday morning, though, the fire was 55% contained. With just a light breeze blowing, officials said they expected the blaze would be extinguished sometime later in the day.

“We just lifted more evacuation orders,” Monrovia city spokesperson Jennifer McLain said Sunday morning. “Now we are down to two streets.”

McLain revised an earlier estimate that 175 acres had burned. She said officials now place that figure at 125 acres.

Firefighters have been able to keep the blaze from causing major property damage and no major injuries have been reported, McLain said.

One firefighter suffered minor heat-related injuries but was treated at the scene and released, officials said.

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kurt.streeter@latimes.com