Crime & Safety

Blaze Near LVMWD Accidentally Set

A weed whip engine sparks the Friday fire, which burns eight acres before being contained late afternoon.

UPDATE: An eight-acre blaze that broke out near Las Virgenes and Lost Hills roads west of the 101 Freeway around midday Friday was completely contained by late afternoon, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.

The fire was reported at 12:19 p.m. and 186 firefighters were sent to knock it down, said Capt. Sam Padilla.

The fire was accidentally sparked by the overheated engine of a weed whip, said Capt. Tim Vanderlip.

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He said the person using the weed whip placed it on the ground to adjust the tool's strap and the engine ignited nearby grass instantaneously and spread quickly.

All the land burned by the brusher is owned by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and the blaze posed no threat to homes.

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No injuries were reported, Vanderlip added.

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