Calif firefighters wage fierce wildfire battles

The blaze in the steep San Gabriel Mountains above La Canada Flintridge continued to move out in all directions overnight, the most active flanks to the north, deeper into the forest, and east, Luna said.
The fire was creeping slowly toward the city of Altadena, but no homes were immediately threatened, Forest Service spokesman Stanton Florea said. The fire was 5 per cent contained.

Hot, dry weather was expected all day today, but crews were hopeful that winds would remain light, Luna said.

A major goal was to keep the fire from spreading up Mount Wilson, where many of the region's broadcast and communications antennas and the historic Mount Wilson Observatory are located, officials said.
Authorities issued a mandatory evacuation notice early today for 150 homes located within a half-square-mile area and on the slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains. An evacuation center was set up at La Canada High School. (