Southern California Wildfire 50 Percent Contained, Evacuations Lifted

HESPERIA, Calif. (AP) _ A Southern California wildfire that prompted the evacuation of 230 homes was 50% contained Sunday after charring 2,000 acres, authorities said. <br/><br/>About 150 firefighters

Sunday, April 1st 2007, 1:53 pm

By: News On 6

HESPERIA, Calif. (AP) _ A Southern California wildfire that prompted the evacuation of 230 homes was 50% contained Sunday after charring 2,000 acres, authorities said.

About 150 firefighters and two water-dropping helicopters were aided by lighter wind and lower temperatures.

Full containment was expected by Sunday evening, said San Bernardino County Fire spokeswoman Tracey Martinez.

The blaze burned a shed and damaged the roof of a house, but no injuries were reported.

Evacuations were lifted for about 200 homes late Saturday, and residents of the other 30 homes were allowed to return early Sunday, Martinez said.

The blaze began as a small brush fire Saturday morning. Flames got to within feet of some houses in Hesperia, a town of 82,000 nestled in the hills and canyons about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

The cause was under investigation.