Local News in Brief : Big Fire Contained in Angeles Forest

A 4,380-acre fire in the Angeles National Forest above Sylmar was fully contained Thursday night, four days after it began, U.S. Forest Service officials announced.

U.S. Forest Service spokesman Robert Brady said that fire crews spent most of the day “mopping up hot spots.”

About 360 firefighters, mostly from the Forest Service, were still assigned to the fire, he said. But that number will be reduced considerably by 6 p.m. tonight, when the fire is expected to be fully controlled, he said.

Containment originally was predicted by Wednesday evening but was pushed back 24 hours after several hot spots were discovered between Placerita and Pacoima canyons, he said.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze, which will cost the federal government $2.3 million, according to estimates, fire officials said.

The fire was allegedly started Sunday by a 10-year-old boy playing with matches, while camping with his father and two other men, authorities said. The three men were arrested on suspicion of starting an illegal campfire in the forest, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said. They were later released, and all charges against them were dropped.

The child was released to his parents pending further investigation.