Mountain Fire 99 Percent Contained

A helicopter makes a drop on the Mountain Fire on July 18, 2013, near Idyllwild, California. (credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

IDYLLWILD (CBSLA.com) — The Mountain Fire, which has burned 27,531 acres near Idyllwild since it broke out July 15, was 99 percent contained Monday afternoon.

Fire officials expected the remaining personnel still battling the fire to finish by Tuesday, the U.S. Forest Service reported.

Investigators have determined that the cause of the blaze, which destroyed 23 structures, including seven residences, was due to an electrical equipment failure on private property.

The cost of the fire effort was estimated to be more than $25.6 million.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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Mountain Fire Nearly 100 Percent Contained

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — The Mountain Fire is 98 percent contained, according to authorities.

Full containment is expected Tuesday.

“Our firefighters are working under difficult conditions, but we are confident in the progress they are making in completing the fireline,” said Incident Commander Chris Fogle. He added, “We also appreciate the support of all the local communities.”

Officials wanted to alert residents and visitors that smoke towards the north end of the fire will still be visible due to the heavy fuels and brush that fed the fire.

CAL Fire investigators have determined the cause of the fire — first reported on July 15 around 1:43 p.m. — was an electrical equipment failure on private property.

Authorities say there are currently 182 firefighters battling the blaze, six crews, five fire engines, three helicopters and one bulldozer.

The number of structures lost remains at 23 including seven residences.

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