In brief: Tropical storm John helping douse fire

Los Angeles – Remnants of a tropical storm helped firefighters gain ground on a 4,180-acre blaze in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles, with containment doubling Wednesday to 48 percent.

Crews have been working on steep slopes in the Angeles National Forest since Sunday to put out the fire in chaparral that hasn’t burned in 15 or 20 years, according to fire officials.

They got some relief from Tropical Storm John, which brought light rainfall, increased humidity and cooler temperatures.

Masters’ son arrested for exposing himself

Detroit – The son of sex research pioneer Dr. William H. Masters is accused of exposing himself to a sheriff’s deputy and another woman during a sting operation along a river in eastern Michigan.

A completely nude William H. Masters III yelled for the women’s attention on Saturday, then made obscene gestures from the bank of the Pinnebog River, Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson said. The deputy called for backup from a Michigan conservation officer who tracked down the 60-year-old Masters, who owns property in the area.

Masters also was arrested for indecent exposure earlier this year in New York City.