Southern Calif. wildfire destroyed 24 residences
Jun 7, 2013, 3:59 AM
PALMDALE, Calif. (AP) – Officials now say 53 structures including 24 residences were destroyed by the big wildfire in northern Los Angeles County.
U.S. Forest Service spokesman Shawn Rollman said Thursday that crews were able to revise damage estimates now that there are few open flames.
Containment has increased to 83 percent on the 47-square-mile blaze.
Rollman says the destroyed residences could include houses and mobile homes. Of all the structures that burned to the ground, 29 were outbuildings.
Some firefighting resources have been demobilized but most will remain until a containment line extends around the entire burn area.
The so-called Powerhouse Fire erupted a week ago in rural lands near a utility facility about 45 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
The estimated cost of fighting the fire has risen to $11.4 million.
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