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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Sierra Madre Blaze Rages On

Firefighters losing containment on difficult terrain

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(Newser) – A California wildfire that has sparked mass evacuations kept burning up Sierra Madre today, the Los Angeles Times reports. Officials said the blaze was 23% contained, compared to 30% last night, and four of 580 firefighters have suffered minor injuries—but there are no fatalities so far. The fire now consumes 500 acres and has edged "downhill toward the homes in Sierra Madre," an Angeles Forest Spokesman said.

"It's very steep, inaccessible terrain, and it's very heavy brush," said a Fire Chief, explaining the difficulties of the Sierra Madre blaze. "Very difficult and arduous labor for these crews. You can't get bulldozers into the majority of where these fingers of fire run."

A wind driven brush fire burns along the foothills above Sierra Madre, Calif. on Monday, April 28, 2008.
A wind driven brush fire burns along the foothills above Sierra Madre, Calif. on Monday, April 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Firefighter John Hall, with the California Department of Forestry and Fire, monitors a wildfire Monday, April 28, 2008, in Sierra Madre, Calif.
Firefighter John Hall, with the California Department of Forestry and Fire, monitors a wildfire Monday, April 28, 2008, in Sierra Madre, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
Firefighters make their way up a slope Sunday, April 27, 2008, in Sierra Madre, Calif.
Firefighters make their way up a slope Sunday, April 27, 2008, in Sierra Madre, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
A firefighting helicopter makes a drop on a slope Sunday, April 27, 2008, in Sierra Madre, Calif.
A firefighting helicopter makes a drop on a slope Sunday, April 27, 2008, in Sierra Madre, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
An air tanker drops flame retardant on a slope Monday, April 28, 2008, in Sierra Madre, Calif.
An air tanker drops flame retardant on a slope Monday, April 28, 2008, in Sierra Madre, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
A firefighter sprays water on a house to protect it from a wind driven brush fire in the foothills of Sierra Madre, Calif., Monday, April 28, 2008.
A firefighter sprays water on a house to protect it from a wind driven brush fire in the foothills of Sierra Madre, Calif., Monday, April 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Firefighters protect homes from a wind driven brush fire in the foothills of Sierra Madre, Calif. on Monday, April 28, 2008.
Firefighters protect homes from a wind driven brush fire in the foothills of Sierra Madre, Calif. on Monday, April 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
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