CA-VNC: Santa Susana Pass Brush fire near Simi Valley is 8 acres at 80% Cont. 20% controlled more fires developing #CaFire

Thursday, December 26, 2013

CA-VNC: Santa Susana Pass Brush fire near Simi Valley is 8 acres at 80% Cont. 20% controlled more fires developing #CaFire

A brush fire that started Wednesday night in the Santa Susana Pass near Simi Valley is about 80 percent contained at 10 acres Thursday morning, but only 20 percent is under control, officials said.

UPDATE FROM VCFD - The Lilac Fire in the Santa Susana Pass area is at 8 acres in size, 80% contained and 20% controlled.

Firefighters from Ventura County, Los Angeles County and City battled the wind-driven fire over night. Law enforcement agencies from Simi Valley, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties assited with traffic control and sheltering-in-place of residents.

Currently the following resources from Ventura County and CalFire are mopping up and monitoring the fire:

3- Handcrews

5- Brush engines

1- Copter

High winds, which will continue until noon today, low fuel moisture, fire history of the area and residences in the area means the potential and threat of the fire remains.

There are no evacuations. Santa Susana Pass Rd. is closed between Box Canyon and Rocky Peak. Lilac Lane is open to residents.

A firefighter with a minor ankle injury was transported to Simi Valley Hospital.

Updates from VC star:

1:10 p.m. - The second brush fire has been contained, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. Near the 118 Freeway and Kuehner Drive, it is reported as a small spot fire.

12:55 p.m. - Road Closures California Highway Patrol has shut down two lanes eastbound on Highway 118 near Rocky Peak to allow room for fire equipment. The new blaze, reportedly about a 1/2 acre, has been dubbed the Freeway fire.

12:45 p.m. - Ventura County Fire Department reported a new fire in the Simi Valley area about 12:35 p.m. The department diverted units working to control the Lilac fire to attack the new blaze. Preliminary reports indicated about one-half acre was burning near Kuehner Drive and Highway 118.

Noon - The containment and control figures remain the same, but the winds are not subsiding, said Capt. Mike Lindbery of the Ventura County Fire Department.

Firefighters and crews are expected to work until 6 p.m., when officials will assess what to do next.

“We want to make sure we’re covered,” he said. “If the fire starts again, in these conditions, it will move really fast.”

8:23 a.m. - A brush fire that started Wednesday night in the Santa Susana Pass near Simi Valley is about 80 percent contained at 10 acres Thursday morning, but only 20 percent is under control, officials said.

In addition the Ventura County Sheriff's Office has reopened Santa Susana Pass Road between Box Canyon and Rocky Peak roads, which was closed overnight, officials said.

“The big picture is we have 20 percent of the work we need to get finished here,” Lindbery said.

"This was a very small fire with a very large response for a good reason,” he said.

The blaze is burning in an area that has a history of fires that have threatened structures in the past. The brush in the area is also very dry, Lindbery said.

“Everything is so tender dry out here. There isn’t really a shoot of green grass popping up anywhere,” he said. “We’re just very concerned with these winds.”

The winds have calmed down since the sun rose Thursday morning, Lindbery said, but gusts are reaching up to 25 mph.

Five fire engines and two hand crews are expected to work on mopping up and monitoring the blaze throughout the day.

PHOTO BY SEBASTIAN RAMIREZ, SPECIAL TO THE STAR

The blaze in the Santa Susana Pass area was holding at 8-10 acres early Thursday, but officials warned it could spread if the wind hit it.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- California firefighters said Thursday they have gained ground on a Simi Valley brush fire fanned by strong winds that could cause the blaze to spread rapidly.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department said the fire was expected to be fully contained by 6 p.m. PST Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reported. Officials said early Thursday the fire was about 20 percent contained.

Officials said about 300 firefighters from Los Angeles and Ventura counties were working to control the blaze, which started Wednesday, KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, reported.

The Lilac fire fire had burned 10 acres by midnight Wednesday. At one point, the fire threatened about 20 homes, officials said.

Santa Ana winds gusting to about 35 mph "are almost blowing us over," said Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Mike Lindberry. He said brush in the area is so dry, "if we have an ember blow out, it has a 90 percent chance of igniting and starting a new fire."

Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/dec/25/crew-respond-box-canyon-brush-fire/#ixzz2ocZspDHj
- vcstar.com Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/12/26/California-firefighters-gain-ground-on-Simi-Valley-brush-fire/UPI-51241388085489/#ixzz2ocYb69hp

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CFN - California Fire News 2013

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Thursday, December 26, 2013