Firefighters close to full containment of Soledad fire near Santa Clarita

Firefighters inched closer Wednesday to fully surrounding the Soledad fire, which erupted near Santa Clarita on Sunday, authorities said.

The fire had grown slightly by 27 acres, bringing the total burn area size to 1,525 acres, said Supervising Dispatcher Martin Rangel with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Crews labored throughout Wednesday with hoses and hand tools, snuffing out hot spots and continuing to encircle the blaze, the department said. By 9 p.m., county fire crews had encompassed 94% of the fire, up from 87% in the morning, Rangel said.

Firefighters continued to work through hot weather conditions with temperatures reaching 87 degrees on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasts for Thursday project even warmer temperatures with a high of 91 degrees.

At its peak of intensity on Sunday, authorities were forced to close the 14 Freeway as flames hopped over its lanes. About 40 residents fled from their homes.

After firefighters were able to gain control of a what had been a rapidly moving blaze, residents were allowed to return home on Monday and the freeway had reopened.

Two firefighters have suffered minor injuries while fighting the blaze, authorities said.