Fire Containment Expected by Tuesday Night

More than 2,000 firefighters continued to gain control over the 6-day-old Marple fire Saturday, and officials predicted full containment by Tuesday evening.

“They’re containing more of it each day,” said Susie Wood, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service.

The fire had burned 21,500 acres by Saturday evening--only 200 more than Friday--and was 66% contained, quelling earlier fears that it could triple in size, authorities said.

The estimated cost of fighting the wildfire--the largest in Southern California since 1993--reached $5.3 million Saturday, but no buildings had been damaged, Forest Service officials said.

Although no civilians have been injured, 21 firefighters have suffered minor injuries, including one whose eyes were swollen shut because of beestings. Other injuries include sprained ankles and poison oak.

By late Saturday, fire crews from 26 agencies were being scaled back slightly from a peak of 2,130 firefighters, according to authorities.

The fire continued to threaten some structures, high-pressure gas and crude oil lines and the Castaic Lake Municipal Watershed in the lightly populated forest, officials said.

Wood said protecting the structures at Paradise Ranch remained a priority.

Citing extreme fire conditions, the Forest Service said that only camp stoves and campfires in official fire rings would be allowed through the Labor Day weekend in mountain campgrounds. Barbecues would not be allowed outside of the campgrounds.

Wood said the campgrounds closed earlier in the week were expected to remain shut down through the holiday. They are: Cienega Campground, Lower Shake Campground and Prospect Campground.

Templin Highway and Old Ridge Road are also due to stay closed through Labor Day.

Officials today are due to reevaluate the closure of the Castaic Lake Recreation Area, and there is a chance it could open on Monday, Wood said.

Authorities allege that the fire was started at about 12:30 p.m. last Monday near the Golden State Freeway and Hughes Road junction by a San Fernando teenager whose car broke down minutes earlier. The fire quickly spread over the dry hills mostly within Angeles National Forest.

The boy, whose name has not been released, pleaded not guilty to two counts of arson at his arraignment on Thursday.