California's Apple Fire: Firefighters Continue Efforts To Contain Blaze That Burned 32,412 Acres

California's Apple Fire continues to burn more than a week after it began but firefighters are finally getting closer to containing the blaze. Authorities say it could take nine more days to completely contain the fire.

In an update on Sunday, Aug. 9, Cal Fire said the fire managers were shifting their focus from protecting communities to preventing the fire from spreading. As of Sunday evening, it had burned 32,412 acres of land but was already 42% contained.

"As progress continues on fire containment lines, resources that are no longer needed will be released from the incident over the next several days," CalFire said in the update. "Strike teams of large fire engines used for structure protection that were utilized on the southern and western flanks will be reduced in number; however enough will remain to ensure adequate coverage."

NBC Los Angeles reports that four homes and eight outbuildings have been destroyed, while one firefighter was sent to a hospital after sustaining a head injury from a falling tree branch.

Initially, firefighters struggled to contain the Apple Fire after it broke out on July 31 because of the record low moisture, high temperatures and because the area that was burning was quite steep and rugged, making it difficult for firefighters to reach.

By Saturday, Aug. 8, the fire activity was described by authorities as minimal. They estimate it could take nine more days to fully contain. Residents, particularly those with preexisting medical issues, were advised to stay indoors as the smoke from the fire was affecting several nearby communities.

In fact, the fire had become so large earlier that smoke from it had reached parts of Arizona, something that was even visible in satellite images.

Authorities said it was a human-caused fire that was started by a diesel vehicle malfunction.

According to the U.S. National Park Service, nearly 85% of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans, from campfires that were left unattended to negligently discarded cigarettes and even intentional arson.