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Homeowners Evacuated As Fire Burned In Bolsa Chica Wetlands In Huntington Beach

HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA) -- A fire started burning on Sunday afternoon in the Bolsa Chica wetlands area of Huntington Beach.

Bolsa Chica wetlands fire 726
(courtesy: CBS)

As of 5 p.m., the fire was about five acres but the blaze quickly spread to 62 acres hours later.

The Huntington Beach Fire Department said crews were able to reach full containment around 7 p.m.

While no structural damages or injuries have been reported, several homes were threatened and firefighters stopped the flames about 100 yards away.

Crews were concerned about a large recreation area connected to the wetlands and the wildlife in the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, where more than 200 avian species have been identified.

"We have a lot of different wildlife in there, we have waterways in there, we also have the Bolsa Chica conservancy and it's an area where people like to walk as well. The environment is always one of our main things that we look [at] and we want to save," said Eric Blaska of the Huntington Beach Fire Department.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation.

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