A brush fire has burned 1,238 acres in Solimar Beach near Ventura, prompting mandatory evacuations and temporarily closing the 101 Freeway in both directions Saturday morning.
The fire started around 10:30 p.m. Friday, burning about 100 acres in the 3000 block of West Pacific Coast Highway. According to Ventura County Fire officials, the flames were visible about 150 feet from the sand.
More than 600 firefighters from various agencies, including Los Angeles County Fire Department and Cal Fire, worked to quell the flames along with help from helicopter water drops. About 40 firefighters and two air tanks from San Diego were asked upon for assistance in fighting the fire. The fire is about 60 percent contained.
Strong winds and dry, drought-stricken vegetation caused the fire to quickly grow to 900 acres by 5 a.m. Saturday, prompting mandatory evacuations for the Solimar Beach and Emma Wood State Beach areas. The blaze threatened about 35 homes in the Solimar Beach community.
Residents living in Faria Beach were placed under voluntary evacuations. The Red Cross set up a shelter in Carpinteria at the Veteran's Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Avenue.
The California Highway Patrol reopened both directions of the 101 Freeway shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday, but with chances for strong winds starting up again those plans could change.
Those driving in the area were asked to use Highway 150 as an alternative route.
Fire investigators determined the brush fire was sparked by a downed power line.
