(Bloomberg) — A wildfire east of Los Angeles that torched buildings in an industrial area and threatened about 100 homes was brought under control yesterday afternoon and is expected to be contained early today.The fire, which stopped short of engulfing homes, was contained in an industrial area where it burned several buildings, including a lumber yard where 20 pieces of equipment were destroyed, said Angie Samayoa, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino unit of the California Forestry and Fire Protection Department.

The blaze, which scorched more than 640 acres, is by the California towns of Fontana and Rialto, 55 miles to 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

More than 200 firefighters are battling the blaze, with engines, bulldozers, air tankers and helicopters. The cost has reached $1.2 million, Samayoa said.

“We’ve taken control of the fire. It’s not threatening houses,” she said. “No homes were burned, although mandatory evacuations in commercial areas are still in place.”

The fire began at about 7.30 a.m. north of Rialto in an area of grass and brush around the Sierra Avenue off-ramp on Interstate 15. It was spread quickly by gusting winds.

Fires plague southwest California this time each year, when blazes can spread quickly in the arid California hills and scrub, aided by dry, gusting winds. The Esperanza wildfire last month killed five firefighters.

The winds pick up speed when driven through areas such as Cajon Pass, between California’s San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains. I-15, which remains open, connects Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

The fire reached the lumber yard, where stakes of wooden pallets exploded in flames and filled the air with choking black smoke.

Firefighters were concerned burning embers could be pushed by the wind and start small spot fires, which can grow quickly, said Dan Dresselhaus, a spokesman for the San Bernardino unit of the California Forestry and Fire Protection Department.

“Much of this area is new housing development and the houses were built with fire in mind,” Dresselhaus said. “There’s more fire-safe construction.”

The fire started after sparks flew from work done by a welder on a bridge cutting a rebar, which is metal used to give strength and stability to cement structures.

The sparks, which came off the top of a bridge, were missed by a fire spotter at the site and blown by the wind, Samayoa said.

Hot, dry winds blowing down through Cajon Pass fuelled the blaze. The fire is about 30 percent contained, and full containment is expected this morning, she said.