MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Burned Area 99 Percent Contained, Cost Est. $25.8M

A 43-square-mile mountain area scorched by a blaze that broke out two weeks ago near Idyllwild and destroyed 23 structures, including seven homes, was declared 99 percent contained as of Monday afternoon.

The 27,531-acre Mountain Fire was caused July 15 by an electrical equipment failure on private property in the Mountain Center area, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Cost for fighting the fire and dealing with its aftermath was estimated July 29 at $25.8 million, Carol Underhill of the San Bernardino National Forest said.

"Fire continues to smolder in heavy down/dead material in the northwest section of the fire," Forest Service personnel said in an update.

Full containment of the burned area is expected by 6 p.m. Tuesday July 30, according to the Forest Service. About 180 personnel remained assigned to the burned area as of Monday afternoon.

For previous Patch coverage of the Mountain Fire click the following links:

Mountain Fire Containment Pushed Back to Tuesday, Cost Now $25.2 Million

Cause of Mountain Fire Determined, Electrical Equipment to Blame

Firefighting Resources Cut Dramatically As Mountain Fire is 92 Percent Contained

Fire Crews Reach 91 Percent Containment on Mountain Fire, Visitors Welcomed Back to Area

As Containment Nears in Mountain Fire, Cost Estimated at $22.8 Million, Resources Scaled Back

RAIN ON MOUNTAIN FIRE, EVACS LIFTED: Full Containment Expected Friday

MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Weather Aids Fire Crews, Blaze Estimated 49 Percent Contained, Cost $18.4M

MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Burns 42 Square Miles, 3,400+ Personnel, Evacuation Warning for Pine Cove

'UNUSUAL FIRE BEHAVIOR': Mountain Fire Incident Commander Discusses Fire Weather, Evac Orders

Palm Desert's Assemblyman Asks Governor to Declare State of Emergency

Mountain Fire Local Impact Map by ESRI of Redlands

MOUNTAIN FIRE: Some Residents Stay, but Most of Idyllwild is 'Ghost Town'

VIDEO: Idyllwild Fire Chief Discusses Evacuations, Mountain Fire Threat

MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Now 19,400 Acres, 4,100 Homes Threatened, Evac Orders for Idyllwild, Fern Valley

Beaumont High School Transformed Into Emergency Shelter for Fire Evacuees

MOUNTAIN FIRE PHOTOS: Property Damage, Watershed Damage, Firefighters, Pilots

MOUNTAIN FIRE: Now 9,000 Acres Burned, 2,200+ Personnel, 21 Structures Destroyed

MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Now Est. 2,400 Acres, Structure Damage Reported, Mandatory Evacs at Bonita Vista, Fleming Ranch, Animal Sanctuary