Williams Fire 72 Percent Contained

A in the Angeles National Forest was 72 percent contained today, authorities said.

Firefighters were working to construct and improve containment lines around the Williams Fire, which has burned 4,180 acres since it broke out in San Gabriel Canyon around 2:15 p.m. Sunday. Full containment was not expected until next Thursday.

The fire has been burning north and east in steep terrain, fueled by medium to heavy brush that has been untouched by fire for 15 to 20 years, officials said. About 1,070 firefighters were deployed at the scene.

On Thursday morning, deputies began escorting about 100 evacuated residents of River Community and Camp Williams back to their homes. The mountain communities are located in the East Fork area of the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Azusa and Glendora.

About 2,000 recreational campers also were evacuated on Sunday, and some of them left their equipment behind. About 9 a.m. Saturday, authorities will begin escorting the campers back into the area to retrieve their belongings, but will then escort them back out, said Nathan Judy of the Angeles National Forest. The area will remain closed for recreational camping while the firefighting effort continues, he said.

The fire broke out in the Camp Williams trailer park off San Gabriel Canyon Road, also known as state Route 39. The cause remains under investigation.