Major coastal highway reopens in California

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries but no structures were damaged.

The Pacific Coast Highway was closed in both directions from the State Beaches exit to Seacliff Road temporarily, and was reopen also around 5 p.m., according to Santa Barbara County officials.

A crew of prison inmates works to remove brush to help keep a wildfire from spreading in Ventura County, Calif. The Ventura County Fire Department said the brush fire had burned 1,200 acres.

A mandatory evacuation order was put in place for the Solimar Beach community, while officials issued a voluntary evacuation order for the nearby Faria Beach community.

About 600 firefighters responded to the scene on Saturday.

Cmdr. Norm Plott of the Ventura Fire Department warned before the highway was reopened that “any openings that do happen are subject to being closed again”.

LOS ANGELES, United States-A fierce brush fire raged in southern California Saturday, forcing evacuations and the closure of part of the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, as officials warned oil, power and rail installations were at risk.

Some families who evacuated because of the Solimar Fire returned home Saturday, and recalled how close the fire came to their homes.

The Ventura County Fire Department says some 400 firefighters made great progress against the wind-driven blaze on Saturday and have stopped its forward spread. The highway was already closed since the fire started building up at about 11 p.m. on Friday.

Clemo was referring to the steep canyons, dry vegetation and strong winds that kept changing direction, which challenged the firefighters.

A 2-acre spot fire discovered just after 4 a.m. Sunday was “highly visible” from Highway 101, said Ventura County Fire Capt. Mike Lindbery.

“This is more like a Santa Ana”, Ceto said.

A Red Cross shelter is at the Carpinteria Veteran Memorial, 941 Walnut Ave., Carpinteria.