Control of California wildfires increases

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- California firefighters said Sunday they had made strides toward controlling wildfires threatening Big Bear Lake and San Diego County.

Fire crews said their overnight efforts in both fire zones have helped them increase their control of the destructive wildfires, but warned residents there could be problems ahead, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"Really good progress was made overnight," California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant said. "The smoke has died down significantly since yesterday, but we're not out of the woods yet."

The Big Bear fire, named the Butler 2 Fire, has been responsible for the destruction of 15,433 acres since it began. San Diego County's Angel Fire has consumed nearly 1,000 acres so far.

Fire officials said the Butler 2 Fire was 12 percent contained Sunday, while the Angel Fire was nearly 20 percent contained.

The Times reported authorities would not say when the wildfires would be completely under control.