The nine-day old Powerhouse Fire that has charred nearly 50 square miles in the Angeles National Forest near Palmdale was 90 percent contained on Saturday, officials said.
The blaze, which started on May 30, destroyed 30 structures and damaged at least three others, said Nathan Judy of the U.S. Forest Service. The fire also destroyed 29 outbuildings and damaged one other one.
About half of the destroyed structures were homes, officials said.
Firefighters quickly extinguished a new fire started Friday outside the perimeter of the blaze, holding it to one acre.
Crews will continue to patrol 300 feet from the perimeter with fire lines completed from Forsythe Canyon to Three Points, officials said.
Variable winds shifted from the southwest Friday morning to the east in the afternoon, and early predictions suggested the gusts would test containment efforts, but firefighters were able to hold the lines, county officials said. The temperature near the fire line on Friday was 106 degrees with very low humidity, sheriff's officials said.
Hot and breezy conditions were expected Saturday, with temperatures in the mid- to high-90s and north northwest winds of 5-10 mph becoming southwest at 10- 15 mph and gusts up to 30 mph, according the National Weather Service.
Southern California Edison crews worked over the past four days and were able to restore power to all residents Friday, officials said.
Area residents were encouraged to attend a fire recovery workshop that will be held Tuesday at Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union Elementary School, where officials will discuss the scope of the fire damage and services to aid homeowners and community members affected will be available.
The estimated cost of fighting the fire is $21.4 million. State and local officials have announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has promised to cover 75 percent of the tab.
