Firefighters work to fully contain 'South Fire' near Santa Clarita

(FOX 11/CNS) - Firefighters kept up their efforts Monday to clear vegetation around a brush fire that charred about 175 acres in Santa Clarita over the weekend and was 85 percent contained, authorities said.

The South Fire was reported at 2:50 p.m. Saturday just east of the Golden State (5) Freeway, south of Calgrove Boulevard, fire officials said.

By Saturday evening, it was 30 percent contained by lines of cleared vegetation and checked to the extent that evacuated residents were allowed to return home, sheriff's officials said.

Firefighters remained in the area mopping up hot spots and building more containment lines, officials said.

One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Firefighters responding to the blaze immediately called a second alarm due to a need for structure protection in South Canyon. Water-dropping helicopters began assisting firefighters on the ground, and fixed-wing aircraft were requested.

A third alarm was requested about 3:45 p.m. Saturday to immediately get more units for structure protection in the La Salle Canyon area. As of 5 p.m. Saturday, it had been threatening 200 structures.

Fire officials requested two additional fixed-wing tankers and one Heli-Tanker, bringing airpower to five tankers and five helicopters.