About 300 firefighters have gained an upper hand against a series of brush fires that have been burning along the eastbound Pomona (60) Freeway in the Diamond Bar area about 50 km east of downtown Los Angeles with 60 percent of the hot spots have been contained, authorities said Tuesday.

Frederic Stowers, inspector with the Los Angeles County Fire Department revised the containment from 70 percent or 80 percent earlier to 60 percent. An investigation was initiated to find out why the flame was started. It has as many as 8 origins and, thanks to the aerial and land attacks involving 2 Super Scoopers, 8 helicopters and 300 fire crews the battle is going to be won.

The fire was started 11:45 a.m. (0700 GMT) and spread to an hilly area of 50 acres (20 hectares). One house was damaged and 3 civilians suffer from smoke inhalation

Preliminary investigation showed the fire began in "six to eight locations" and was burning near Diamond Ranch High School and some homes, according to authorities. Students are taking shelter in the school gymnasium. Impatient parents are eager to get their children home.

Some of the driveways in the area were closed. However, the freeways remain open. Firefighting equipments were trucked in to beef up the assault. Thick and heavy black columns of smoke have been turned into while haze, meaning they are put under control.

No evacuation orders have bee issued so far. Vegetation in the scenic residential area is exceptionally dry and the area is dotted with many cul-de-sac homes. Luckily, the firefighters were helped by a breeze and easy access to water.