Battle continues near Sierre Madre

SIERRA MADRE, Calif. (AP) -- Today's cooler weather is expected to help firefighters contain a stubborn California wildfire near Sierra Madre.

The 538-acre blaze burned dangerously close to homes early yesterday, but firefighters stood their ground. Helicopters and airplanes poured water and retardant over the flames, while nearly 700 firefighters worked from the ground.

Authorities say no homes have been lost in the four-day-old fire, though a small outbuilding has been destroyed.

About 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes as the fire spread, but most of them have been allowed to return. Public schools were closed yesterday, but are set to reopen today.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.