Markleeville fire containment over 50 percent; 17,000 acres burned

The big forest fire near the mountain town of Markleeville in Alpine County has been mostly contained.

The U.S. Forest Service reported Tuesday that the lightning-caused Washington fire, which broke out June 19, is 56 percent contained. A total of 17,787 acres have burned.

With good containment, some firefighters are being allowed to go home. Firefighting personnel was reduced from 1,111 on Monday to 860 on Tuesday.

Firefighters assigned to the Markleeville area continued Tuesday to mop up and tend to fire lines cut earlier in the fight that ultimately prevented the march of flames from reaching the town of 200 residents.

Fire crews continued Tuesday to build fire lines on the northern and southern portions of the blaze.

This story was originally published June 30, 2015 at 8:01 AM with the headline "Markleeville fire containment over 50 percent; 17,000 acres burned."