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Firefighters make progress on Southern California wildfire

Saddleridge Fire
Posted at 10:44 AM, Oct 13, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-14 00:37:58-04

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels are helping firefighters advance on a wildfire that scorched the San Fernando Valley hills and forced thousands to evacuate from their homes.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department says Sunday the wildfire, which burned 12 square miles (31 square kilometers) is 41 percent contained.

Fire crews will focus on building a perimeter around the fire and use aircrafts to drop retardant on areas that are difficult to reach by land.

In all, the fire damaged or destroyed 32. A man went into cardiac arrest and died when the fire broke out late Thursday.

The cause of the fire was under investigation and fire officials said they were looking into witness reports that they saw flames at the base of a power transmission tower.