Jan 17, 2014

More than 700 firefighters battle a blaze in southern California, which burned more than 1,700 acres and destroyed five homes. Three men are arrested on suspicion of starting the fire.

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: A plane flies over a reservoir as fire emergency services work to control wildfires burning through hillsides on January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. Authorities have stated that three people have been charged with recklessly lighting a fire as the blaze known as the Colby Fire has now destroyed 1,700 acres of land and several homes around Glendora and Azusa in the San Gabriel Valley, prompting officials to order evacuations for houses near the fire. (Dan R. Krauss/Getty Images)

: Firefigfhters line up as they prepare to attack the Colby Fire on January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire originated early on Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48kms) northeast of Los Angeles. Nearly 900 homes were evacuated Thursday after a wildfire scorched forests near Los Angeles, and cast a plume of smoke over the city, police said. Glendora police detained three men who allegedly set a campfire which sparked the blaze, shortly before 6:00 am (1400 GMT). (Robyn Beck//AFP/Getty Images)

: Homeowners watch from a roof as a firefighting aircraft drops water on the Colby Fire, January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire originated early on Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48kms) northeast of Los Angeles. Nearly 900 homes were evacuated Thursday after a wildfire scorched forests near Los Angeles, and cast a plume of smoke over the city, police said. Glendora police detained three men who allegedly set a campfire which sparked the blaze, shortly before 6:00 am (1400 GMT). (Robyn Beck//AFP/Getty Images)

: Flames burn near a home during the Colby Fire, January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire originated early on Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48kms) northeast of Los Angeles. Nearly 900 homes were evacuated Thursday after a wildfire scorched forests near Los Angeles, and cast a plume of smoke over the city, police said. Glendora police detained three men who allegedly set a campfire which sparked the blaze, shortly before 6:00 am (1400 GMT). (Robyn Beck//AFP/Getty Images)

: Firefigfhters prepare to attack the Colby Fire on January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire originated early on Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48kms) northeast of Los Angeles. Nearly 900 homes were evacuated Thursday after a wildfire scorched forests near Los Angeles, and cast a plume of smoke over the city, police said. Glendora police detained three men who allegedly set a campfire which sparked the blaze, shortly before 6:00 am (1400 GMT). (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

: A homeowner keeps watch from his roof during the Colby Fire, January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire originated early on Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48kms) northeast of Los Angeles. Nearly 900 homes were evacuated Thursday after a wildfire scorched forests near Los Angeles, and cast a plume of smoke over the city, police said. Glendora police detained three men who allegedly set a campfire which sparked the blaze, shortly before 6:00 am (1400 GMT). (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

: Fire fighters try to protect the main house as fire burns a section of Singer Mansion located at Kregmont Dr. in Glendora, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. The Colby fire that broke out near Glendora, north of Los Angeles on the edge of the Angeles National Forest, exploded in size Thursday morning as dry brush, steep terrain and winds made for rough firefighting conditions. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

: Camille Abouchedid protects his home as fire approaches his home on Kregmont Drive in Glendora, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

: A brush fire burns Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, in the Angeles National Forest. The fire was reported at about 6 a.m. north of Glendora, a foothill community about 30 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

: Helicopters work to control wildfires as they burn through the hillsides on January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. Authorities have stated that three people have been charged with recklessly lighting a fire as the blaze known as the Colby Fire has now destroyed 1,700 acres of land and several homes around Glendora and Azusa in the San Gabriel Valley, prompting officials to order evacuations for houses near the fire. (Dan R. Krauss/Getty Images)

: A helicopter works to control wildfires as they burn through hillsides on January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. Authorities have stated that three people have been charged with recklessly lighting a fire as the blaze known as the Colby Fire has now destroyed 1,700 acres of land and several homes around Glendora and Azusa in the San Gabriel Valley, prompting officials to order evacuations for houses near the fire. (Dan R. Krauss/Getty Images)

: A plane works to control wildfires as they burn through hillsides on January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. Authorities have stated that three people have been charged with recklessly lighting a fire as the blaze known as the Colby Fire has now destroyed 1,700 acres of land and several homes around Glendora and Azusa. (Dan R. Krauss/Getty Images)

: Firefigfhters line up as they prepare to attack the Colby Fire on January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire originated early on Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48kms) northeast of Los Angeles. Nearly 900 homes were evacuated Thursday after a wildfire scorched forests near Los Angeles, and cast a plume of smoke over the city, police said. Glendora police detained three men who allegedly set a campfire which sparked the blaze, shortly before 6:00 am (1400 GMT). (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

: Homes are engulfed in flames, as firefighters battle a fast-moving California wildfire, so-called the “Colby Fire”, in the hills of Glendora January 16, 2014. The wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying at least two homes and forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee, fire and law enforcement officials said. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

: Homes are engulfed in flames, as firefighters battle a fast-moving California wildfire, so-called the “Colby Fire”, in the hills of Glendora January 16, 2014. The wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying at least two homes and forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee, fire and law enforcement officials said. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

: Firefighters battle a fast-moving California wildfire, so-called the “Colby Fire”, in the hills of Glendora January 16, 2014. The wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying at least two homes and forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee, fire and law enforcement officials said. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

: Firefighters are hit by heavy boulders rolling downhill, with one suffering a broken ankle, as they battle a fast-moving California wildfire, so-called the “Colby Fire”, in the hills of Glendora January 16, 2014. The wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying at least two homes and forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee, fire and law enforcement officials said. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

: Firefighters battle a fast-moving California wildfire, so-called the “Colby Fire”, in the hills of Glendora January 16, 2014. The wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying at least two homes and forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee, fire and law enforcement officials said. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

: An air tanker makes waters drops as firefighters battle a fast-moving California wildfire, so-called the “Colby Fire”, in the hills of Glendora January 16, 2014. The wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying at least two homes and forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee, fire and law enforcement officials said. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

: Thick smoke fills the morning skies as firefighters battle a fast-moving California wildfire, so-called the “Colby Fire”, in the hills of Glendora January 16, 2014. The wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying at least two homes and forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee, fire and law enforcement officials said. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

: A fast-moving wildfire called Colby Fire is seen in a NASA satellite image captured just after 12:00 PM local time (20:00 GMT) in this January 16, 2014 picture provided by NASA. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles (60 km) east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/NASA)

: Thick smoke fills the morning skies as firefighters battle a fast-moving California wildfire, so-called the “Colby Fire”, in the hills of Glendora January 16, 2014. The wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying at least two homes and forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee, fire and law enforcement officials said. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

: A local resident uses a garden hose to protect his home from a fast-moving California wildfire, so-called the “Colby Fire”, in the hills of Glendora January 16, 2014. The wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying at least two homes and forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee, fire and law enforcement officials said. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

: A fast-moving California wildfire, so-called the “Colby Fire,” burns nearby homes, in the hills of Glendora January 16, 2014. The wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying at least two homes and forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee, fire and law enforcement officials said. The wind-whipped blaze erupted before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

: Firefigfhters prepare to attack the Colby Fire on January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire originated early on Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48kms) northeast of Los Angeles. Nearly 900 homes were evacuated Thursday after a wildfire scorched forests near Los Angeles, and cast a plume of smoke over the city, police said. Glendora police detained three men who allegedly set a campfire which sparked the blaze, shortly before 6:00 am (1400 GMT). (Robyn Beck//AFP/Getty Images)

: Firefigfhters prepare to attack the Colby Fire on January 16, 2014 in Azusa, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire originated early on Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48kms) northeast of Los Angeles. Nearly 900 homes were evacuated Thursday after a wildfire scorched forests near Los Angeles, and cast a plume of smoke over the city, police said. Glendora police detained three men who allegedly set a campfire which sparked the blaze, shortly before 6:00 am (1400 GMT). (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

: A water dropping helicopter flies by the Colby fire prior to a drop Thursday morning, January 16, 2014, in the Angeles National Forest. The fire was reported at about 6 a.m. north of Glendora, a foothill community about 30 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

: Glendora resident Cathy Doherty waits to be evacuated in the 500 block of Viewcrest Drive in Glendora as the Colby fire continues to burn Thursday morning, January 16, 2014, in the Angeles National Forest. The fire was reported at about 6 a.m. north of Glendora, a foothill community about 30 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

: A brush fire is burning Thursday morning, January 16, 2014, in the Angeles National Forest. The fire was reported at about 6 a.m. north of Glendora, a foothill community about 30 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

: A brush fire is burning Thursday morning, January 16, 2014, in the Angeles National Forest. The fire was reported at about 6 a.m. north of Glendora, a foothill community about 30 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

: Fire fighters try to protect main house as fire burns a section of Singer Mansion located at Kregmont Dr. in Glendora. The Colby fire that broke out near Glendora, north of Los Angeles on the edge of the Angeles National Forest, exploded in size Thursday morning as dry brush, steep terrain and winds made for rough firefighting conditions. Nathan Judy, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said the fire had grown to at least 125 acres by 8 a.m. and that it was moving quickly going up and down the hills. The fire was reported shortly before 6 a.m. (Irfan Khan/ Los Angeles Times )

: The Colby fire that broke out near Glendora, north of Los Angeles on the edge of the Angeles National Forest, exploded in size Thursday morning as dry brush, steep terrain and winds made for rough firefighting conditions. Nathan Judy, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said the fire had grown to at least 125 acres by 8 a.m. and that it was moving quickly â€œgoing up and down the hills.â€ The fire was reported shortly before 6 a.m. (Irfan Khan/ Los Angeles Times )

: Fire fighters try to protect main house as fire burns a section of Singer Mansion located at Kregmont Dr. in Glendora. The Colby fire that broke out near Glendora, north of Los Angeles on the edge of the Angeles National Forest, exploded in size Thursday morning as dry brush, steep terrain and winds made for rough firefighting conditions. Nathan Judy, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said the fire had grown to at least 125 acres by 8 a.m. and that it was moving quickly â€œgoing up and down the hills.â€ The fire was reported shortly before 6 a.m. (Irfan Khan/ Los Angeles Times )

: Residents watch the Colby Fire burn in Glendora, California January 16, 2014. The so-called Colby Fire broke out before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, and by mid-morning had blackened more than 1,700 acres, U.S. Forest Service spokesman Nathan Judy said. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

: A fire crew climbs a hill at the Colby Fire in Glendora, California January 16, 2014. The so-called Colby Fire broke out before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, and by mid-morning had blackened more than 1,700 acres, U.S. Forest Service spokesman Nathan Judy said. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

: Fire fighters try to protect main house as fire burns a section of Singer Mansion located at Kregmont Dr. in Glendora. The Colby fire that broke out near Glendora, north of Los Angeles on the edge of the Angeles National Forest, exploded in size Thursday morning as dry brush, steep terrain and winds made for rough firefighting conditions. Nathan Judy, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said the fire had grown to at least 125 acres by 8 a.m. and that it was moving quickly â€œgoing up and down the hills.â€ The fire was reported shortly before 6 a.m. (Irfan Khan/ Los Angeles Times )

: Rita Abouchedid runs as fire approaches her home Kregmont Drive in Glendora.The Colby fire that broke out near Glendora, north of Los Angeles on the edge of the Angeles National Forest, exploded in size Thursday morning as dry brush, steep terrain and winds made for rough firefighting conditions. Nathan Judy, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said the fire had grown to at least 125 acres by 8 a.m. and that it was moving quickly “going up and down the hills.” The fire was reported shortly before 6 a.m. (Irfan Khan/ Los Angeles Times )

: A helicopter makes a water drop on the Colby Fire in Glendora, California January 16, 2014. The blaze broke out about an hour before sunrise in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora and quickly spread to 1700 acres. Glendora is located about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, near the southern edge of the Angeles National Forest. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

: A helicopter makes a water drop on the Colby Fire in Glendora, California January 16, 2014. The blaze broke out about an hour before sunrise in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora and quickly spread to 1700 acres. Glendora is located about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, near the southern edge of the Angeles National Forest. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

: A large fire plume rises above the downtown skyline from the fast-growing Colby fire from the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Thursday morning, January 16, 2014. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

: A car drives away from the Colby Fire in hills above Glendora, California January 16, 2014. The fire began early Thursday morning and has so far scorched 125 acres. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

: Residents evacuate their home as the Colby Fire approaches in hills above Glendora, California January 16, 2014. The fire began early Thursday morning and has so far scorched 125 acres. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

: The Colby fire burns in the hills above Glendora, California January 16, 2014. The fire began early Thursday morning and has so far scorched 125 acres. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

: A firefighter hoses water as he defends a structure during the Colby Fire in hills above Glendora, California January 16, 2014. The fire began early Thursday morning and has so far scorched 125 acres. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

: Smoke rises from the Colby Fire seen from the Foothill Freeway approaching Glendora, California January 16, 2014. The fire began early Thursday morning and has so far scorched 125 acres. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

: An airplane flies as downtown Los Angeles is shrouded in a cloud of smoke from the Colby Fire, January 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire, originated early today in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48 miles) northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The fire is threatening homes and mandatory evacuations have been ordered. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

: Downtown Los Angeles is shrouded in a cloud of smoke from the Colby Fire, January 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire, originated early today in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48 miles) northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The fire is threatening homes and mandatory evacuations have been ordered. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

: Downtown Los Angeles is shrouded in a cloud of smoke from the Colby Fire, January 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire, originated early today in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48 miles) northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The fire is threatening homes and mandatory evacuations have been ordered. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

: Downtown Los Angeles is shrouded in a cloud of smoke from the Colby Fire, January 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The fast-moving Colby Fire, originated early today in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Glendora, about 30 miles (48 miles) northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The fire is threatening homes and mandatory evacuations have been ordered. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

By Ari Bloomekatz, The Los Angeles Times
Update: January 17, 2014, 5:59 a.m.

Firefighters battling the Colby fire in the hills above Glendora and Azusa should benefit from calmer winds Friday as they work to increase containment around the blaze that so far has destroyed five homes and several other structures.

The fire, which officials said was sparked by an illegal campfire, was 30% contained as of Thursday night after having scorched 1,709 acres. More than 700 firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies were battling the blaze.

The fire, which broke out along Glendora Mountain Road by the Colby truck trail, was initially fueled by strong Santa Ana winds that helped push it toward neighborhoods, forcing evacuations.

But as the winds died down Thursday evening, firefighters announced that “the forward spread of the fire has stopped.” Thousands of people who were within the evacuation area were allowed to return home by nightfall.

Colby fire wildfire burns more than 1,700 acres, destroys 5 homes

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