Weaker winds, cooler temperatures and higher humidities helped firefighters more than double their containment of a destructive wildfire that has been stubbornly burning in the Angeles National Forest for nearly three weeks.
The Bobcat Fire has burned more than 113,300 acres, or about 177 square miles. It’s 38% contained as of Wednesday morning, up from 17% from the previous evening.
“We do have warmer conditions later this afternoon and into the weekend, so while we have the weather in our favor, we’re going to take advantage of it and do some more good work out on the line,” said L.A. County Fire Department spokesman Pono Barnes.
He also warned that “conditions can change in a moment’s notice,” so crews will continue to patrol the northern edge of the fire near the Antelope Valley foothills on Wednesday.
Officials urged those affected by the fire to follow the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department on Twitter for updates on evacuations.
The Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at Palmdale High School at at 2137 E. Avenue R.
Those with large animals can bring them to the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds at 2551 W. Avenue H in Lancaster. The county said Tuesday that it has more than 400 animals in its care as the Bobcat Fire continued to threaten communities.
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