Disasters

End in Sight for L.A. Fire?

Officials express some hope.

The six-day-old fire that has so far destroyed more than 50 buildings and burned 122,000 acres near Los Angeles showed a few signs of slowing early Tuesday. With weather conditions improving and the rate of growth slowing, officials expressed guarded optimism. Though the huge fire stretches 25 miles from east to west—and 18 miles from north to south—no new structures were burned Monday night. The fire is now just 5 percent contained but officials expect to make significant progress Tuesday. Weather-wise, temperatures are projected to drop today to the low 90s with increased humidity, but officials are concerned about winds. Despite reasons for hope, an official for the U.S. Forest Service called the outlook “treacherous,” saying “This is a very angry fire.”