KVTA Local News
Firefighters Fight Fire With Fire
*Springs Fire Now 28,000 Acres, 20% Contained
*PCH Reopened at 7:30 PM
KVTA News Saturday May 4, 2013-Updated 4 AM
(Photo courtesy of Tiffanie Faith)
Firefighters trying to get the upper hand on the 28,000 acre Springs fire spent the night using fire to fight fire. They've been conducting "burnout" operations along the fire front in Hidden Valley. That involves burning the brush ahead of the fire in order to give the fire no where else to go.
During these operations, the fires which are being set make it appear that the main fire is getting worse, but it's not. The weather overnight has been turning in favor of firefighters with much higher humidity, much less wind, and lower temperatures.
CalFire reports more than 1800 personnel are now involved in battling the Springs fire which began on Thursday morning alongside the southbound 101 Freeway near Camarillo Springs on the Conejo Grade. Right now the fire is 20% contained, but if the "burnout" operations are successful, and the weather continues to improve, that number should increase later today.
There should be an official update by 8 AM today. According to CalFire, the Springs fire has destroyed 25 outbuildings while damaging 15 others. It's damaged 15 residences, but no residences have been destroyed by the flames. Also, it's damaged five commercial properties. The cause remains under investigation. The evacuation areas are western Hidden Valley and nearby portions of Newbury Park. Also Sycamore Canyon, Yerba Buena Rd, and Deek Creek are under evacuation notices.
Red Cross evacuation centers are at Malibu High School on Morning View Ave, Calvary Community Chapel at 380 Mobil Avenue in Camarillo, and the Thousand Oaks Community Center at 2525 N. Moorpark Road. Small household animals, like dogs and cats, can go to the Ventura County Animal shelters at Camarillo Airport or on LA Avenue in Simi Valley.
Large animals can go to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. PCH is open, but Potrero Road remains closed from Wendy to Trentwood. Also, Deer Creek, Yerba Buena, and Sycamore Canyon area closed. The info line for the fire is (805) 388-4276.
**PCH is now OPEN. It was opened at 7:35 PM Friday
(Photo courtesy Tiffanie Faith)
Meanwhle, concerns about the fire in the area near Naval Base Ventura County at Pt. Mugu have passed. Early Friday, the Springs fire jumped Pacific Coast Highway near Pt. Mugu, burning the Navy rifle range on the ocean side of the highway. That put it in proximity to the base. Because of the smoke from the fire, a portion of base housing, about 118 people, were evacuated.
Firefighters were requested on base to protect structures and some Seahawk helicopters were used to scoop up water out of the ocean and drop it on some of the flames south of the base. The fire in that area died down and so the the problem with smoke. Those evacuated will still spend the night elsewhere and return Saturday.
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