As Creek Fire Reaches 95 Percent Containment, Residents Taking Destruction 'All In Stride'
SYLMAR (CBSLA) — Authorities say the Creek fire in the hills above Sylmar is 95 percent contained as of Sunday evening.
The fire erupted last Tuesday four miles east of Sylmar and has scorched 15,619 acres, resulting in two injuries.
The fire has destroyed 60 homes and 63 structures, and damaged 54 other homes and 26 other structures.
In the Sylmar neighborhood of Santiago Estates, 18 homes were scorched, ash and rubble sitting next to homes that were miraculously spared.
Javier Hernandez's residence of more than a decade burned to the ground. Still, as tears ran down his daughter's eyes, he was putting the whole ordeal into perspective.
"For me, it was like my 15 years of living here was flashing by — of memories, you know, the gatherings, all that," Hernandez told CBS 2 News. "And then at the same time, we were like, 'OK, my family's OK. If it's gonna burn, it's gonna burn.'"
Resident Mike Fisher's home was one of the lucky structures that was left standing.
"It's amazing," Fisher told CBS2. "Like my neighbors, you'd think they'd be devastated, but they're taking it all in stride."
They're emotions with which a lot of neighbors are trying to empathize.
"I am so sorry for these people," said Jodi Vowel. "I mean, several of them just bought their houses this past year."
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Firefighters said full containment was expected Monday.