Firefighters make progress battling brush fire near Castaic Lake

CASTAIC, Calif. -- Firefighters are making significant progress in battling a brush fire in the Angeles National Forest near Castaic Lake Monday.

Shortly before 4 p.m., fire officials said the fire charred 300 acres, but was 50 percent contained. On sunday night, that figure was estimated to be around 500 acres with no containment.

The fire, dubbed the Warm Fire, ignited around 3:30 p.m. Sunday near Lake Hughes and Warm Springs roads amid very warm conditions. The air-attack response came quickly - a massive DC-10 responded and dropped fire retardant on the flames.

During the initial response, the fire activity was considered extreme with huge flames burning heavy brush in rugged terrain. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries battling the flames.

PHOTOS: Acres burned, buildings destroyed in Castaic brush fire

The blaze burned much of a former rehabilitation to the ground, just off Lake Hughes Road. The facility had been abandoned for a few years. A total of six structures were either damaged or destroyed by the flames.

Fortunately, firefighters say the flames are now laying down.

"The fire hasn't moved much during the evening. We do have hand crews constructing hand lines, we have dozers out there putting contingency lines, and we also have engines that are putting down hose lays to control the fire," Medrano said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.