Dry, windy weather on Monday hampered efforts to contain a wildfire in northern Los Angeles County that has forced thousands of people to flee their homes, one of several blazes that crews were battling in the state. Nearly 1,600 homes in Santa Clarita had been evacuated since the fire began Saturday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage. Evacuation orders were lifted for Fair Oaks Ranch after the fire burned through the area without destroying any homes. But several hundred homes remained evacuated Monday in Sand and Placerita canyons, said county fire Inspector Ed Osorio. More than 1,500 firefighters aided by helicopters and bulldozers were battling the 5,710-acre blaze, which was 39 percent contained Monday morning. Flare-ups fanned by the erratic wind prevented crews from gaining much ground during the night despite lower temperatures. The blaze started when someone shooting target practice sparked a flame that spread to vegetation, officials said. The shooter was cited and may have to pay firefighting costs, Boano said. Elsewhere, firefighters were making steady progress against a wildfire that has been burning since July 12, about 45 miles north of Los Angeles. The arson fire was about 80 percent contained Sunday and had charred 17,418 acres, destroying three homes and five outbuildings. Nearly 1,000 people from rural communities had left earlier in the week but returned to their homes Sunday. One firefighter died in a traffic accident while returning home from the fire's front. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Firefighters battle a wildfire Sunday, July 18, 2004, near Santa Clarita, Calif. (AP)