The San Gabriel Complex Fire was 72 percent contained today, having scorched 5,381 acres, according to the U.S Forest Service.
As of this morning, 859 firefighters were battling the blaze, down from 923 Sunday, it said, adding that firefighters have been transported by helicopter to remote sites to continue fire suppression in areas difficult to access. As firefighters push toward full containment, they will also remove equipment in the field no longer needed, including hoses, generators, chain saws and water tanks, officials said.
A Federal Aviation Administration Temporary Flight Restriction remained in place in hopes of preventing any private aircraft or drones from getting in the way of firefighting aircraft. On Saturday, privately operated drones violated the air space within which fire response teams were operating, prompting the suspension of chopper and plane operations. All residents in the foothills above Azusa and Duarte who were evacuated have been allowed to return home, and roads are no longer restricted to just residents, according to the Sierra Madre Police Department.