Southern California wildfire almost fully contained, officials say

LOS ANGELES, June 26 (UPI) -- A fast-moving wildfire that quickly grew out of control Wednesday -- and triggered the evacuations of more than a thousand residents near Los Angeles -- was almost fully contained by Thursday night, authorities said.

The Calgrove Fire was sparked along a portion of Interstate 5 Wednesday, prompting officials to fully shut down a section of freeway, and quickly moved in the Santa Clarita area -- about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County fire officials said the wildfire was 95 percent contained by Thursday evening, and that firefighters will continue working into the overnight hours to surround the flames, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Enduring 90-degree heat and some wind, firefighters dug a trench around the fire to stop its spread. No injuries and no major structural damages have so far been reported. Some of the evacuated residents lived in or near a mobile home park close to the blaze, officials said.

Officials said the latest estimate is that 415 acres have been burned. The flames spread from three acres to more than 300 in a matter of hours Wednesday, the Times reported.

Authorities will remain on alert for wildfires, though, as California's drought and dry thunderstorms forecast this weekend increase the risk of more.