Progress made in San Gabriel Complex Fire before dry winds return

AZUSA, Calif. (KABC) -- Firefighters were gaining ground on the San Gabriel Complex Fire with 15 percent containment, and although some residents were allowed to return home briefly, others weren't so lucky.

Residents of the Mountain Cove community were allowed to grab items from their homes Thursday morning, but evacuations were still in effect as crews continued to battle the wild fire, also known as the Fish Fire and Reservoir Fire, which together have burned 5,235 acres.

"Mountain Cove residents will have approximately 30 minutes to get back to their residences, gather whatever belongings or needs that they have and then they'll be escorted back out," said Sgt. Randy Schmidt of Azusa police.

Those essentials were different for each person, but clothes and medicine seemed to be at the top of the list.

Some of residents who live in the Las Lomas area of the city of Duarte were able return to their homes at about noon. This included those who evacuated from the streets of Vineyard Avenue up to Willowglen Drive, Las Lomas Road up to Willowglen Drive and Woodbluff Avenue to Starpine Drive, according to a press release issued by the Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department. Residents in the Las Lomas area in the city of Duarte who live north of Willowglen Drive were still under evacuation.

No live stock was allowed back into the area for at least a day after residents moved back, and no large vehicles would be allowed into the area in order to have adequate space for fire crews.

Residents of the Mesa Area in the city of Duarte were still under evacuation. This includes residents who live on Mount Olive Drive north of Woodlyn Lane, Spinks Canyon, Rim Road, Golden Meadow Drive and High Mesa Drive. All other evacuations remained in effect, the press release stated.

L.A. County sheriff's officials urged residents of Bradbury and the north-east residential areas of Monrovia to remain vigilant and ensure they are prepared for evacuations in the event they become necessary.

Flames could still surge down the mountainside with the night's expected winds, officials said.

With a red-flag warning in place Thursday night, firefighters still think it will be a few more days until it is safe to permanently return home.

The pair of fires, which broke out Monday, have not merged, although they are only a mile and a half apart. About 1,400 fire personnel were fighting the flames.