After 150 Ft. Flames, Weather Helping Firefighters Battle Springs Blaze
May 3, 2013 11:56 PM
CAMARILLO (CBSLA.com) — The Springs Fire that started Thursday near the 101 Freeway in Camarillo remained 20 percent contained after scorching 28,000 acres in Ventura County, but changing weather and rising humidity brought some relief Friday night.
Rising humidity and cooler temperatures helped to calm the flames Friday night, after a day that saw 100-150 foot flames, power lines set ablaze, and a funnel cloud of dust and smoke.
The fire flared up again just after noon Friday when offshore winds shifted back on-shore. More than 43 square miles have been affected.
Pacific Coast Highway reopened in both directions on Friday night around 5p.m., and air attacks against the fire stopped at sunset, according to authorities.
A significant decrease in plumes of smoke was reported as the sun was going down on Friday.
Firefighters remain focused on the Hidden Valley area near Yerba Buena Road north of Malibu.
Fire crews plan to set backfires on Wendy and Potrero Road on Friday, and residents are being warned by reverse 911 calls to expect smoke as firefighters eliminate unburned fuel.
Bill Thomas of the Los Angeles Fire Department said resources have poured in and firefighters are well equipped. A reported 1,900 fire personnel from across California have traveled to the Southland.
Thomas said crews are pleased with the level of containment but that changes in weather or wind can change the percentage of the fire that is contained.
"But with the amount of resources we have, now we have the ability to take more people out there and dump as much we can out there, and really improve on that line" to contain more of the fire.
"They have been phenomenal," said one resident. "Throughout yesterday they saved our entire community, not one home burned."
"We just want to show love and support to them and be there for them, even if it's something as simple as a water bottle," one resident said, who with a friend brought water to the firefighters.
The change in weather made setting backfires more difficult because of the cooler conditions. Firefighters estimated the backfires in Newbury Park would take roughly four hours to complete.
Authorities are reportedly hoping to have the fire contained by Monday.
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/05/03/after-150-ft-flames-weather-helping-firefighters-battle-springs-blaze/
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