LAKE HUGHES (CNS) — Firefighters kept a wildfire burning near Lake Hughes from growing and the blaze was 70 percent contained Thursday morning.
The Lake Fire has charred 31,089 acres, destroyed 12 structures and 21 outbuilding and damaged six other structures since it erupted about 3:30 p.m. Aug. 12 near Lake Hughes Road and Pine Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest, which was battling the blaze with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and assistance from other agencies.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol were also involved in the effort.
Evacuation orders were lifted Tuesday morning for all remaining evacuees. Residents were able to return home to houses east of Old Ridge Route, west of Kings Canyon Road, north of Pine Canyon Road and south of Highway 138 and California Aqueduct, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Residents on Kings Canyon Road east to Shafer Road were allowed to return home Monday morning. Residents of Pine and Kings canyons, whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the Lake Fire, were escorted back into the area Saturday and Sunday, authorities said.
Some 1,034 firefighters were still battling the fire Wednesday, down from 1,278 Tuesday evening.
Four firefighters were injured battling the blaze, but details were not released.
As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, Lake Hughes Road was reopened from Ridge Route Road to Deeswood Drive, along with San Francisquito Canyon/Dry Gulch roads to Lake Hughes Road. However, upper and lower Lake Castaic, along with all Lake Castaic Recreation Areas, will remain closed to support fire operations at the Incident Command Post.
Castaic Lake remained closed to public access until further notice. Fire personnel were using the lake and surrounding areas as a base camp.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency last week to help ensure resources to combat multiple fires burning across the state.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.