The western flank of the deadly wildfire north of Los Angeles was under control today, sparing foothill communities further threat as it burned east into a large wilderness area, according to AP. Investigators, meanwhile, were trying to determine who ignited the blaze that killed two firefighters, destroyed at least 76 homes and burned nearly 242 square miles (627 square kilometers) of the Angeles National Forest. The fire's origin near Angeles Crest Highway remained cordoned off as authorities sought more clues in the case, but they were hesitant to release any findings to the media. «Arsonists are not stupid. They can read,» said U.S. Forest Service Cmdr. Rita Wears, who supervises federal agents investigating the fire. «I have to be very careful.» Los Angeles County firefighters Tedmund Hall and Arnaldo Quinones were killed Aug. 30 while seeking an escape route for their inmate fire crew after flames overran their camp on Mount Gleason. Sheriff's detectives opened a homicide investigation after the fire was ruled arson earlier this week, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has offered $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprit. The fire, one of the largest in Southern California history, was 49 percent contained by early Saturday afternoon after crews built protective lines on the northwestern flank near Santa Clarita, according to Forest Service spokeswoman Jan Ulrich. Firefighters were trying to slow the fire's eastern movement into the San Gabriel Wilderness and secure the southeastern flank north of Monrovia and other foothill communities. No homes were threatened, Ulrich said. Mount Wilson _ which holds a historic observatory and at least 20 television transmission towers, radio and cell phone antennas _ appeared well-protected after flames came dangerously close earlier this week. Fire agencies have spent $37 million to fight the blaze, which started Aug. 26 and has scorched 154,655 acres (62,588 hectares). At least a dozen investigators were working to analyze clues found at a charred hillside near Angeles Crest Highway, including incendiary material reported to have been found there. Officials said the fire was arson but were still investigating who started it and how.
