Publication Date July 12, 2017 | Los Angeles Times

Residents return to fire-gutted homes as California firefighters make progress on massive blazes

United States
From left, firefighters Aaron Williams, Lyle Bennett, Robert Larios and Capt. Crawford Gunn, with the San Bernardino National Forest, put out hot spots Monday morning along Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County. Photo: Al Seib, Los Angeles Times
From left, firefighters Aaron Williams, Lyle Bennett, Robert Larios and Capt. Crawford Gunn, with the San Bernardino National Forest, put out hot spots Monday morning along Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County. Photo: Al Seib, Los Angeles Times

Firefighters took advantage of cooler temperatures Wednesday and increased containment on several destructive wildfires in California just ahead of another forecast of triple-digit heat this weekend.

The slight cool-down kept fire activity at minimal levels and allowed firefighters to improve containment lines around the blazes. The fires, which erupted over the weekend amid a searing heat wave, have destroyed more than four dozen homes statewide.

...

The blaze, which started Saturday along Highway 154, has destroyed eight homes and 12 outbuildings south of Lake Cachuma, and prompted the evacuation of more than 3,500.

Another massive fire burning near Santa Maria, the 28,687-acre Alamo fire, has destroyed two structures, including one home. The blaze, which was 65% contained, continued to threaten 133 structures, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.