BIG SUR, Calif., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A relatively small group of firefighters remained on clean-up duty Sunday in California's Big Sur, a day after a destructive wildfire was declared contained.
The Pfeiffer fire, which began Dec. 16, spread across more than 900 acres, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The cause of the fire had not been determined, officials said.
The U.S. Forest Service said 34 houses were gutted by the fire, along with four outbuildings.While evacuation orders for most communities were lifted Saturday when full containment was declared, residents of Pfeiffer Ridge were not able to return to their homes.
More than 1,000 firefighters were involved in the firefighting effort, coming in from all parts of California, the (Monterey) Herald reported. Fire crews and equipment began leaving Saturday, the newspaper said, with only 100 firefighters expected to be on the scene by Sunday night to monitor the area and mop up hot spots.
