San Gabriel Complex fire is nearly half-contained; Chantry Flats recreation area reopens
Firefighters were gaining the upper hand Saturday on a wildfire burning in the San Gabriel Mountains above Duarte and Azusa, with evacuations lifted and a popular recreation area reopened.
The San Gabriel Complex fire — actually two fires, the Reservoir fire and the Fish fire, which started in the same area the morning of June 20 and have burned a combined 5,285 acres — was 48% contained Saturday morning, according to U.S. Fire Service officials.
Hundreds of residents were evacuated because of the fires this week, but evacuation orders have been lifted and an American Red Cross evacuation center has closed. Officials said Saturday that the forest service had reopened the popular Chantry Flats Recreation Area as conditions have improved. A red flag fire warning remained in effect.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the blazes, with the help of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Because of power outages in Azusa Canyon, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department has issued a “boil water” order for small water systems in the canyon to prevent bacterial contamination.
The fires apparently were ignited by a fatal car crash Monday, in which a vehicle went over the side of the road and plunged to the bottom of a canyon near Morris Reservoir.
Meanwhile, the 7,400-acre Sherpa fire in Santa Barbara County was 93% contained, officials said Saturday. Refugio State Beach is expected to be reopened to the public on Saturday. El Capitan State Beach will remain closed at least through July 15.
More than 500 firefighters remain on the scene to monitor the area for hot spots near the containment line.
Twitter: @sewella
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