UPDATED September 16, 10:20 a.m.: The close to 30-acre brush fire in Rustic Canyon is smoldering and 80 percent contained,according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. “[More than] 50 LAFD firefighters maintain a relentless assault in steep terrain and elevated temperatures on the now smoldering wildfire,” stated LAFD spokesman Erik Scott. “Firefighters are concentrating efforts to control the perimeter. Fortunately a lack of wind and increased humidity assist them in finishing off the blaze. Due to the hard work of all on scene, we hope to have 100 percent containment by this evening.” There is no active flame, according to the LAFD. At about 4 p.m. Saturday, LAFD air units reported that no further hot spots were visible and that ground crews had established a line near the brush fire. The wildfire broke out around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. A fire weather warning was issued that same day by the National Weather Service. No formal evacuations were ordered, no injuries were reported and no homes were imminently threatened, according to LAFD officials. Around 200 firefighting personnel participated in the effort to control the blaze. Around 100 staff members at Camp Josepho were sheltered in place overnight as firefighters fought the blaze. The LAFD worked with California State Park Rangers to locate separate groups of hikers, who were far from the fire but felt threatened, stated Brian Humphrey, LAFD spokesman, in an incident progress report The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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