California fire caused by fire prevention effort

AZUSA, California (CNN) -- Firefighters on Thursday reported 50 percent containment of a wildfire that had consumed 2,250 acres in the Angeles National Forest, about 25 miles east of Los Angeles.

Officials expect to have the fire completely contained by Friday night and under control by Saturday night. Smoke from the blaze continues to blanket the San Gabriel Valley and has spread to other areas of the Los Angeles basin.

Four injuries were reported but none serious. Three buildings, including a family home, were destroyed, officials said.

Ironically, the Azusa fire was caused by a local resident trying to prevent a blaze, authorities said. It started Tuesday afternoon as a homeowner was clearing brush with a weed trimmer. The device hit a rock, causing a spark that ignited the brush, they said.

Related stories:

• Firefighters make headway in California wildfire - July 2, 1997
• 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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