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Better weather helps firefighters contain La Tuna Fire
A Super Scooper CL-415 firefighting aircraft from Canada makes a drop to protect a house during the La Tuna Fire on September 3, 2017 near Burbank, California. At nearly 6,000 acres, the fire is the biggest fire in terms of acreage in Los Angeles city history. About 100 Los Angles firefighters are expected to return soon from Texas, where they've been helping survivors from Hurricane Harvey.
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BURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Scorched terrain sits behind houses that were untouched by the La Tuna Fire on September 3, 2017 near Burbank, California. At nearly 6,000 acres, the fire is the biggest fire in terms of acreage in Los Angeles city history. About 100 Los Angles firefighters are expected to return soon from Texas, where they've been helping survivors from Hurricane Harvey. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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David McNew/Getty Images
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BURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: An S-64E Sikorsky Skycrane firefighting helicopter makes a drop to protect a house during the La Tuna Fire on September 3, 2017 near Burbank, California. At nearly 6,000 acres, the fire is the biggest fire in terms of acreage in Los Angeles city history. About 100 Los Angles firefighters are expected to return soon from Texas, where they've been helping survivors from Hurricane Harvey. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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David McNew/Getty Images
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Firefighters spray water from houses that had previously been dowsed with red Phos-Chek fire retardant as a spot fire erupts below them during the La Tuna Fire on September 3, 2017 near Burbank.
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BURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: A firefighter hoses down a hot spot below him from a section of hillside covered with Phos-Chek fire retardant during the La Tuna Fire on September 3, 2017 near Burbank, California. At nearly 6,000 acres, the fire is the biggest fire in terms of acreage in Los Angeles city history. About 100 Los Angles firefighters are expected to return soon from Texas, where they've been helping survivors from Hurricane Harvey. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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David McNew/Getty Images
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BURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: A Super Scooper CL-415 firefighting aircraft from Canada makes a drop to protect a house during the La Tuna Fire on September 3, 2017 near Burbank, California. At nearly 6,000 acres, the fire is the biggest fire in terms of acreage in Los Angeles city history. About 100 Los Angles firefighters are expected to return soon from Texas, where they've been helping survivors from Hurricane Harvey. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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David McNew/Getty Images
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The La Tuna fire burns above downtown Burbank, California, onSeptember 3, 2017.
More than 5,000 acres (2.023 hectares) have burned in the intense brush fire forcing people from their homes, shutting down an interstate and sending massive plumes of smoke in the air, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. / AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
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BURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: A burned truck is seen at the La Tuna Fire on September 3, 2017 near Burbank, California. At nearly 6,000 acres, the fire is the biggest fire in terms of acreage in Los Angeles city history. About 100 Los Angles firefighters are expected to return soon from Texas, where they've been helping survivors from Hurricane Harvey. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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David McNew/Getty Images
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The La Tuna fire burns above downtown Burbank, California, onSeptember 3, 2017.
More than 5,000 acres (2.023 hectares) have burned in the intense brush fire forcing people from their homes, shutting down an interstate and sending massive plumes of smoke in the air, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. / AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
)
The La Tuna fire burns above downtown Burbank, California, onSeptember 3, 2017.
More than 5,000 acres (2.023 hectares) have burned in the intense brush fire forcing people from their homes, shutting down an interstate and sending massive plumes of smoke in the air, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. / AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
)
One of the largest wildfires in Los Angeles history is now 70 percent contained, Los Angeles City Fire spokesman Capt. Erik Scott said at a press conference Tuesday morning.
An increase in hand crews and cooler weather helped firefighters beat back the La Tuna fire yesterday, when containment was only at 30 percent. Fueled by record-breaking heat, the fire has blazed through more than 7,000 acres since it broke out on Sept. 1.
https://twitter.com/LAFD/status/905089974009192450
All evacuations have been lifted in Los Angeles, Glendale and Burbank, and the 210 Freeway remains open, but Scott warned drivers to use caution, as there are still firefighters in the area.
There have been eight injuries reported since the fire began: Five from heat, a minor burn, an allergy-related incident and an eye injury.
Four roads are limited to residents with valid identification: Sunland / Tuxford, La Tuna / Honolulu, Foothill / Kagel Canyon and Foothill / Osborne.
Scott said that the remaining 30 percent may be difficult to stamp out, as windier conditions can kick up embers and start spot fires.
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“There are some very challenging areas in rugged remote terrain with vegetation that hasn’t burned in 70 years,” Scott said. “It’s a down and dirty job that’s being done right now.”
On Friday, when the fire broke out, temperatures reached 107. It stayed hot Saturday with temperatures topping 100. Temperatures barely dipped at night over the weekend. But Monday, a high of 86 with an overnight low of 69 was forecasted.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This story has been updated.
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