From the ArcaMax Publishing, News & Features Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/newsheadlines/s-374235-285258
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (UPI) -- California firefighters said they were
hopeful Monday that the two biggest wildfires in the state were coming
under control and wouldn't threaten more homes.
The biggest concern was north of Santa Barbara, Calif., where the Gap
fire was being fought by a crew of 1,100 personnel and had been coming
perilously close to 4,000 homes. It had consumed 9,920 acres and was
deemed 30 percent contained as of Sunday night, with the part closest
to the homes secured, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The huge Basin Complex fire further north in the Big Sur, Calif.,
area, which has burned nearly 75,000 acres since June 21, was 11
percent contained Sunday, officials said, marking a turning point in
efforts to fight it.
Basin Fire incident commander Mike Dietrich said that Sunday was a
"great day" for firefighters there, The Monterey County (Calif.)
Herald reported, as crews completed the final half-mile of a
protective fire line from Bixby Mountain to the coastal highway.
Despite the progress, fire officials were concerned about a heat wave
that's expected to push California temperatures into triple digits
with single-digit humidity levels. Nearly 600,000 acres have burned in
California since late June.