Southern California mountain blaze 75 percent contained

The thousands of people who had been ordered to flee returned to their homes as cool, calm weather helped crews stop the progression of the Sheep fire, which started Saturday afternoon. All evacuation orders were lifted for Wrightwood, and Highway 2 was reopened.

Helicopters dropped water and transported crews close to the burned areas to build fire lines in the rugged forest.

The blaze was expected to be fully contained on Saturday, as crews push deeper into difficult terrain on the southwest perimeter, officials said.

Firebreaks constructed below Wrightwood were holding and the fire did not appear to be spreading, U.S. Forest Service fire information officer Norma Bailey said.

"They have had a few flare-ups within the perimeter of the fire," she said.

The blaze burned more than 11 square miles and destroyed a home, two camp buildings and two outbuildings, said Carol Underhill, another Forest Service spokeswoman.