Mountain Fire Expected To Reach Full Containment Tuesday

LAKE HEMET (CBSLA.com) — Firefighters have pushed back the containment date for a massive wildfire in Riverside County.

Firefighters initially said the Mountain Fire would be fully contained Friday.

That date, however, was moved to July 30 as crews dealt with extreme terrain at the northwest corner of the fire perimeter which firefighters said was hampering fireline construction, according to the San Bernardino National Forest.

The 27,531-acre Mountain Fire erupted on July 15 near Highway 243 and Highway 74. It was 92 percent contained.

The fire forced more than 6,000 residents out of their homes. The fire also destroyed 23 structures, including seven homes.

Investigators with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) determined that an electrical equipment failure on private property is to blame for causing the fire, it was announced Thursday.

The total cost of the fire to date was said to be at $25.2 million.