Piru Gorge Fire Burns 1,800 Acres, Reported 10% Contained
A fire sparked by lightning in the Sespe Wilderness Area continued to burn out of control Saturday night, having already claimed more than 1,800 acres of brushy hillside, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.
The Piru Gorge fire, which began Thursday afternoon about 2 1/2 miles south of Pyramid Lake, was only 10% contained, and fire officials would not speculate on when it might be brought under control. Five minor injuries, including a broken hand suffered by a firefighter, were blamed on the blaze.
A California condor refuge nearby was still clear of flames, but wilderness and watershed areas that are ecologically important were threatened, according to a report issued by fire officials.
More than 800 firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, California Department of Forestry and other agencies were fighting the fire. They were being aided by 10 water-dropping helicopters and 12 air tankers.
Campgrounds at Oak Flat, Los Alamos and Frenchman Flat were temporarily closed because of the fire.
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