Central California wildfire that destroyed 40 homes is nearly contained

The Round fire burns at Wheeler Crest near Bishop on Friday. Firefighters have gained the upper hand on a wind-driven wildfire that destroyed 40 homes, burned nearly 11 square miles and forced about 150 people to leave two small California towns at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada.

Feb. 9, 2015 1:42 PM PT

A Central California wildfire that burned 40 homes is almost fully contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Monday.

The blaze burning at the base of the Sierra Nevada, named the Round fire, had grown to 7,000 acres and was 85% contained as of Monday morning, CalFire reported.

Residents of two small towns, Paradise and Swall Meadows, were expected to begin returning home Monday after being evacuated by authorities on Friday.

The blaze has injured four firefighters but is no longer threatening any homes, officials said.

At its peak, about 500 firefighters, 35 fire engines and one helicopter worked the blaze, according to the state’s incident report.

The fire was first reported about 2 p.m. Friday, according to the Inyo County sheriff’s office.

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