California Firefighters Battle Flames North And South
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Hand crews climb rugged terrain along Agua Dulce Canyon road Monday, July 6, 2020, in Agua Dulce, Calif. The Soledad fire which broke out Sunday afternoon has scorched 1300 acres and is now 30% contained as firefighters and hand crews work through high temperatures to make sure the flames are contained. (David Crane/The Orange County Register via AP)
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Firefighters douse hot spots along Agua Dulce Canyon road Monday, July 6, 2020, in Agua Dulce, Calif. The Soledad fire which broke out Sunday afternoon has scorched 1300 acres and is now 30% contained as firefighters and hand crews work through high temperatures to make sure the flames are contained. (David Crane/The Orange County Register via AP)
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A livestock trailer drives along Canada Road as the Crews Fire burns near Gilroy, Calif., on Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
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A wildfire burns along Canada Road near Gilroy, Calif., Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
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Firefighter Daniel Abarado lights a backfire while working to contain the Crews Fire from near Gilroy, Calif., on Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
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A firefighter moves a fence post while battling the Crews Fire near Gilroy, Calif., on Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
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Firefighter Daniel Abarado lights a backfire while working to contain the Crews Fire from near Gilroy, Calif., on Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
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A freeway sign along the Antelope Valley freeway is seen where the Soledad fire has now scorched 1,300 acres, Monday, July 6, 2020. The Soledad fire which broke out Sunday afternoon is now 30% contained as firefighters and hand crews work through high temperatures to make sure the flames are contained. (David Crane/The Orange County Register/SCNG via AP)
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Hand crews climb rugged terrain along Agua Dulce Canyon road Monday, July 6, 2020, in Agua Dulce, Calf. The Soledad fire which broke out Sunday afternoon has scorched 1300 acres and is now 30% contained as firefighters and hand crews work through high temperatures to make sure the flames are contained. (David Crane/The Orange County Register via AP)
GILROY, Calif. (AP) β California firefighters battled large wildfires in Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties on Monday.
A fire that has burned more than 2.3 square miles (5.1 square kilometers) north of Gilroy was 15% contained, and a smaller fire east of Morgan Hill was 80% contained, Cal Fire said.
Weather conditions in that region improved early in the morning, with increasing humidity, decreasing winds and cooling temperatures, the National Weather Service said. But the service warned that fuels remain very dry.
In north Los Angeles County, firefighters gained 30% containment of a 2-square-mile (5.1-square-kilometer) fire near Agua Dulce, but were concerned about a return of weather conditions that spread the flames when it erupted Sunday afternoon.
βThe challenge is the fact weβll again be hot and dry today,β said county fire Chief Deputy David R. Richardson.
On Sunday, the fire disrupted travel on State Route 14 and authorities set up an evacuation area where residents were instructed to remain in their cars.
