Some progress in Calif. wildfires

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Firefighters made progress Saturday against some wildfires burning in California forest and scrubland areas.

The La Brea fire, which has spread through 75,000 acres in Los Padres National Forest near Los Angeles, was 25 percent contained, the Los Angeles Times reported. That was up from 10 percent on Friday.

Two fires burning in Shasta and Trinity counties were 80 percent contained, while one in Mendocino National Forest was 100 percent contained.

Gov. Arndold Schwarzenegger visited firefighters battling the Lockheed fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The blaze, reported Wednesday, was 30 percent contained.

"I want the people here in these communities to know that we will do everything in our power in order to save properties, to save lives and to save their memories," Schwarzenegger said. "The important thing is also to follow the evacuation orders."

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi declared a state of emergency in Santa Cruz County Friday while the governor was attending the funeral of his mother-in-law, Eunice Shriver, in Massachusetts.

Schwarzenegger said 11 wildfires were burning in the state Saturday. Only one, in Yuba County, was reported to have done any damage to structures -- two houses.