Fire Department Says Fire Season Has Officially Started

MONROVIA (CBSLA.com) — As firefighters come close to full containment of a brush fire in Monrovia, the fire department says that a potentially hazardous fire season has officially begun.

The fire is reportedly 85% contained, after approaching residents' yards over the weekend. However, not a single home has been lost, and those residents are calling the firefighters "heroes".

"Look how close it came, and no structures were lost," Monrovia resident Julie Kay said. "So they are indeed heroes."

The 124-acre brush fire, which is being called the 'Madison Fire', was allegedly started by a gardener clearing brush. The blaze threatened as many as 400 homes, coming within 300 feet of some structures.

"There is a lot of gratitude in this neighborhood," resident Wayne Socha said. "In fact, my daughter is out right now delivering brownies and oranges to the fire guys that sat in front of our house."

Monrovia Fire Chief Chris Donovan says that the event marks the opening of what he expects to be a very busy fire season.

"We are indeed in the fire season. It has begun officially," Chief Donovan said. "This is the first large fire in Los Angeles county."