Wildfire partially shuts down California’s scenic Highway 101

Pacific Coast Highway is closed between the State Beaches and Seacliff off-ramps, and is expected to re-open by 5 p.m.

Firefighters said they battled and contained two small flare-ups overnight.

The fast-moving blaze burned through Christmas night and into Saturday, with more than 1,200 acres torched as of 9 a.m. (noon ET), according to Ventura County Fire spokesman Capt. Mike Lindberry.

“The fire is being pushed by a strong northwest wind and now poses a threat to oil, gas, power and rail infrastructure”, warned the Ventura County emergency information website.

Ten engines and several hand crews were able to get a hose line around the spot fire and were mopping it up as of Sunday morning, Lindbery said.

No injuries to firefighters or civilians have been reported, and no structures have been destroyed, authorities said. It started at 10:42 p.m. Friday six miles northwest of Ventura, north of the 101 Freeway.

Part of Highway 101 was shut down because of the wind-fueled wildfire. During Friday night’s evacuations some travelers even shared videos of themselves “driving through fire” with flames and scorched hills surrounding northbound and southbound lanes.

The fire, which was 10 percent contained, likely wouldn’t be under control until at least Tuesday, Burris said.

Emma Wood State Beach remained closed Sunday morning, fire officials said.

The fire charred some 1,235 acres between the coastal cities of Ventura and Carpinteria. The evacuation order was lifted by nightfall and a stretch of the scenic Pacific Coast Highway was reopened.

The fire was caused by downed power lines, fire officials said late Saturday. “As we started getting closer, I chose to record the fire we saw next to us, as I had never seen this before”.

There were no reports of injuries to residents or drivers, and no homes or businesses are threatened, VanSciver said.