Photo: Cal Fire
LLANO (CNS) - Crews were holding the lines Monday around a brush fire in the Antelope Valley that temporarily prompted evacuation orders as it scorched 2,690 acres in the high desert.
The fire, reported to be 39% contained as of Monday morning, was reported at about 12:50 p.m. Friday near Jesus Canyon Road and East Avenue Z in the Llano area, near the Los Angeles-San Bernardino County line west of Piñon Hills.
The National Weather Service warned of triple-digit temperatures in the area. Winds, meanwhile, were 5 to 7 mph and not expected to increase much beyond that, forecasters said.
Forward progress was stopped at 2,690 acres Sunday as containment grew to 31% and the lone evacuation order was lifted, and firefighters expected to keep the blaze from spreading further despite continuing windy conditions.
"Crews are holding containment lines steady, mopping up hot spots, and no further fire growth is expected," Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said Monday morning.
Smoke and flare-ups were expected well within the areas that have already burned, officials said.
An evacuation order was issued for the area of East Avenue Z and Fort Tejon Road, while evacuation warnings were established in other nearby areas, as the fire burned into the Angeles National Forest and advanced toward San Bernardino County.
On Monday, evacuation warnings remained in place for two zones between Angeles Crest Highway and state Route 138 on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, west of Piñon Hills.
"This cautious approach is due to active incoming winds, potential interior fire behavior and a heavy presence of emergency vehicles operating throughout the area," according to a statement from the unified command. "Road closures will also remain in place. Keeping these warnings active ensures that both fire crews and the public remain safe while critical operations continue."
Officials also announced that drones were prohibited over the area while crews were actively working the fire.
As of Monday, the fire had damaged three residences and destroyed one, as well as damaging two minor structures and destroying one, officials said. One firefighter injury has also been reported. Details about the seriousness of the injury were not immediately available.
The firefighting effort was being handled under the unified command of the LACoFD, the U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino County Fire, Cal Fire, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
