A massive wildfire burning near Los Angeles continued to grow Tuesday, but firefighters have gotten a little closer to controlling it.
The so-called Sand fire in the Angeles National Forest has swelled to nearly 37,500 acres since it was first reported on Friday, authorities said. Firefighters have contained about a quarter of it, up from 10 percent on Monday.
PHOTOS: Dry, Windy Conditions Fan California Wildfire
Another encouraging sign was that most of the 20,000 people who were evacuated from their homes in the area were allowed to return Monday night, officials said.
Meanwhile, 3,000 firefighters were working in 100-plus degree heat, with gusting winds and low humidity — difficult conditions for beating back a rampaging blaze.
Officials issued an advisory for unhealthy air quality conditions in the area, as smoke blew into the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.
The National Weather Service said the Los Angeles mountains and Antelope Valley would remain under elevated fire danger all week, with high winds, above-normal temperatures and dry air making existing fires worse and heightening the chance of new ones.
A small consolation was the chance of rain this weekend.
