Weather Helps Springs Fire Battle; Evacuations Lifted
The fire broke out in Camarillo on Thursday and quickly grew amid high temperatures and dry conditions
By Reggie Kumar and Jason Kandel
| Saturday, May 4, 2013 | Updated 7:48 PM PDT
Firefighters continued to battle a major fire that broke out Thursday in Camarillo. Reggie Kumar reports for Today in LA Weekend on Saturday, May 4, 2013.
Evacuation orders were lifted Saturday evening for communities in the path of the Springs Fire that charred nearly 44-square miles in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
The fire was burning Saturday in dense brush in the Santa Monica Mountains along the Ventura and Los Angeles county lines. The fire broke out Thursday off the Ventura Freeway in the Conejo Grade.
It was 30 percent contained by Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire. Crews had the blaze 56 percent contained by 5:15 p.m.
Authorities expect to have the fire fully contained by Monday.
"With the milder weather condtions (sic), firefighters are making excellent progress on extending fire containment lines," the Ventura County Fire Department posted on its Facebook page.
Nearly 1,900 firefighters battled the blaze as it quickly spread amid near triple-digit heat, low humidity and drought conditions. By Saturday, humidity rose and temperatures dropped, allowing crews to gain better control over the wildfire.
No injuries have been reported. At least 15 residences and dozens of other structures have been damaged, according to fire officials.
Ventura County Fire officials issued a new map showing the footprint of the massive wildfire, as pictured below. The red line indicates the outer edges of the fire; the blue line delineates evacuated areas.
All evacuations orders, which applied to thousands of residents, were lifted Saturday evening.
Residents living along Broom Ranch, La Jolla Canyon, Sycamore Canyon, Deer Creek Road and Yerba Buena Road are allowed to return home. Authorities warn that utility workers are in the area replacing power lines and traffic may be slowed.
Potero Road remained closed between Reino and Hidden Valley roads.
CSU Channel Islands has been off limits since Thursday, but the campus -- including the library, dining services and student housing -- is scheduled to reopen at 5 p.m. Sunday. Classes and activities will resume on Monday.
"The University has cleaned the interior of all buildings and is pumping fresh air into all usable buildings and living spaces," the university said in a statement. "Clean-up of the campus will continue over several weeks; however, the smell of smoke may continue to be present."
The massive Springs Fire forced the temporary shutdown of Pacific Coast Highway. The coastal roadway was reopened Saturday, but remained closed at Deer Creek Road, Potrero Road, Reino Road, and Yerba Buena Road.
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/28000-Acre-Springs-Fire-30-Contained-206098331.html
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