Firefighters make headway in California wildfire

AZUSA, California (CNN) -- Firefighters began containing a fast-moving 1,500-acre wildfire Wednesday that resulted in four injuries as it burned out of control in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

By dawn Wednesday, the fire that raged 25 miles east of Los Angeles was 10 percent contained, but there was no word on when it would be completely under control. Inaccessible terrain and temperatures in the 90s were hampering firefighting efforts.

The blaze destroyed two homes and two outbuildings, and damaged a cabin as it burned through 1,500 acres of brush, fire officials said.

Those injured were a firefighter treated for heat exhaustion, a bystander who suffered a heart attack, and a couple in their 80s who were treated for panic attacks. More than 800 firefighters were battling the blaze that began Tuesday.

It was caused by a private landowner clearing vegetation with a weed trimmer, which may have hit a rock and produced a spark that ignited the dry brush, U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Linda Christman said.

The flames, burning in steep terrain covered by dense brush and timber, were headed northward -- away from residences. Winds up to 15 mph were blowing smoke into the valley, said another Forest Service spokeswoman, Sonia Berry.

"An inversion layer is keeping the smoke close to the ground, limiting visibility and reducing helicopter air operations," Berry said. The fire had damaged some power lines, leaving about 130 residents without electricity.

Chris Roddy, a musician and electrician who was living in a 100-year-old cabin that burned to the ground, said he was left with his three dogs and a car.

"I can't even cry," he said. "Everything, all my guitars ... all the songs I ever wrote. Everything."

Twenty miles away, wildfires moved into remote Angeles National Forest terrain, where 80 acres burned. They were extinguished Tuesday night.

Related stories:

• 4 hurt as fire chars 1,500 acres in California - July 2, 1997
• Sunland fire contained; Santa Clarita fire out - May 3, 1997
• California fire contained after 200 evacuated - December 18, 1996 Firefighters battle new blazes in California - October 28, 1996
• New fires spread east of Los Angeles - October 27, 1996
• Big Sur fire flares up, closing vast wilderness - October 26, 1996

Related sites:

• National Daily Fire Situation Report
• Hikes in the Angeles National Forest With Trip Logs - Links to other Angeles Mountains webpages
• The Los Angeles City Fire Department
• USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region
• U.S. Forest Service

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