UPDATE: Lawler Fire Near Idyllwild 95 Percent Contained

Update 5:37 p.m. The Lawler Fire north of Idyllwild off Highway 243 was considered 95 percent contained as of 5:30 p.m. Monday, according to the Forest Service.

Full containment is now expected by 6 p.m. Friday, Kate Kramer of the U.S. Forest Service said in an update.

"Firefighter efforts were aided today by much calmer winds," Kramer said. "Minor drift smoke may still be visible from Highway 243 due to interior smoldering.

"Forest fuels in this area have been treated as part of the North Fork and Highway 243 fuel treatment projects of 2006 – 2009. Fuel reduction efforts have aided fire crews to suppress this fire safely and to defend the homes in the area."

Update 11:27 a.m. The Lawler Fire "continues to burn at a slow rate within the perimeter with isolated torching of snags," Kate Kramer of the U.S. Forest Service said in an update Monday morning.

"Good progress is expected today due to calmer winds," Kramer said. "Full containment is expected by 1800 hrs this evening.

"Crews are constructing fire lines, have contained multiple spot fires, and have contained 70 percent of the fire.

"One helicopter is assigned to the fire to assist with water-drops, if needed."

Posted 11:17 a.m. The Lawler Fire near Highway 243 north of Idyllwild continued smoldering in spots but did not increase in size overnight, a Forest Service spokeswoman said.

Acreage burned was revised to 14 acres as of 9:30 a.m. Monday, Kate Kramer of the U.S. Forest Service said.

"We are keeping containment at 70 percent for now, but with much lower winds today we expect to make good progress at putting it out," Kramer said in an email.

There were about 170 personnel and one helicopter crew assigned to the incident Monday morning, Kramer said.

Fire commanders hope to have the burned area fully contained some time Monday.

The fire was reported about 3 a.m. Sunday near Lawler Lodge and the junction of Highway 243 and Black Mountain Truck Trail. Seven homes in the Eagle Nest community were considered threatened for a time.

No structures or other property were reported damaged or destroyed.

Two firefighters who sustained minor injuries were both transported to a hospital, Kramer said.

The burned area is about four miles north-northwest of Idyllwild, in the Dark Canyon watershed.

On Sunday in windy conditions the fire burned at a slow rate of spread with isolated torching of snags, Kramer said. Steep terrain and wind-driven fire spotting behavior were challenging firefighters.

Brush clearing and tree-thinning in recent years aided firefighters Sunday in spite of the winds.

"Forest fuels in this area have been treated as part of the North Fork and Highway 243 fuel treatment projects of 2006 – 2009," Kramer said Sunday. "Fuel reduction efforts are aiding fire crews to suppress this fire safely and to defend the homes in the area."

Lawler Lodge is between Lake Fulmor and Pine Cove. For updated reports on Sunday .