California Brush Fire Grows to 1200 Acres

By Saturday firefighters had gained the upper hand on the blaze that forced the closure of parts of a major highway and led to evacuations of homes and businesses.

Fortunately, there have not been any reports of injuries or the destruction of structures since early Friday night when the fire began.

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.

The Orange County Fire Authority today said they have sent a strike team to assist in battling a wind-driven brush fire in Solimar Beach in Ventura County that has consumed at least 1,250 acres.

So far, the blaze has burned through some 1,200 acres (485 hectares) and is only 10 percent contained, according to Cal Fire public information officer Daniel Berlant. Norm Plott of the Ventura County Fire Department.

The Red Cross set up a temporary shelter in Carpinteria at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Avenue.

“There was nobody stopping us as we got closer and closer”.

Fire officials had earlier reported that parts of the Pacific Coast Highway also were closed, but a fire department spokeswoman said that only a portion that overlaps 101 was closed. But wind is an even bigger problem, including sustained winds of 15-20 miles per hour on Saturday and gusts as strong as 30 miles per hour.

Mandatory and voluntary evacuations remain in place for less than 100 residences in Ventura County. Evacuations were ordered for 30 homes in Solimar Beach, as well as campgrounds at Solimar beach and Emmawood.

“We will not leave until we know every ember has been extinguished”, said Battalion Chief Fred Burris, of the Ventura County Fire Department.

“Make sure that everything’s buttoned up tight”, Capt. Steve Kaufmann stated on the Fire Department’s Facebook.

Windy conditions should prevail into Sunday, at which point a wind advisory should still be in effect. “We don’t want that to happen”.