The Region : 1,000 Acres Blackened in Angeles Forest

An out-of-control brush fire blackened more than 1,000 acres in the Angeles National Forest, and fire officials estimated it would be at least 24 hours before they could surround the blaze. No structural damage or injuries were reported, Los Angeles County fire officials said. The cause of the fire, which was burning in a westerly direction near Lake Hughes road north of Castaic Lake, was under investigation. The Warm Springs Center, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, was evacuated briefly when flames came within half a mile, but no other structures were in danger, authorities said. About 200 county and U.S. Forest Service firefighters were aided until nightfall by several water-dropping helicopters and aerial tankers. “The overall dry conditions of the brush and forest lands are posing a problem for firefighters,” Forest Service spokesman Robert Brady said.