Solimar Beach Brush Fire at 1,250 Acres, 60% Contained

Updated at 8 p.m.

Thirty Los Angeles County firefighters and one helicopter were sent early Saturday to Ventura County to help battle a 1,250-acre brush fire at Solimar Beach, authorities said.

The fire has spread rapidly, stoked by winds in excess of 40 mph.

“Winds were pretty strong, the fuels were pretty receptive -- dry fuels with lots of brush, light grass mixed with the coastal hills there,” Ventura County Fire Department Battalion Chief Fred Burris said.

The fire was 60 percent contained as 5 p.m., according to the Ventura County Fire Department. It started at 10:42 p.m. Friday six miles northwest of Ventura, north of the 101 Freeway.

A downed private power line is believed to have started the blaze with help from strong winds, Ventura County Fire Chief Mike Lorenzen said.

More than 400 firefighters continue to work the scene, he said.

“We have made tremendous progress today, despite the challenges of high winds, steep terrain and significant brush,” Lorenzen said. “We were able to bring a stop to all forward progress of the fire and we did not lose any structures.”

Officials said no homes were immediately being threatened, although evacuations were still in place in Solimar Beach and area campgrounds.

Emma Wood State Camp remains closed, Lorenzen said.

KNBC4 reported that at least 50 homes were under mandatory evacuation in the Solimar Beach community and area campgrounds and another 30 homes were subject to voluntary evacuation in Faria Beach.

The Ventura County Office of Emergency Services said all evacuation orders were lifted at 5 p.m.

The 101 Freeway was shut down for hours in both directions between state highways 33 and 150. The northbound lanes re-opened around 1:45 p.m. Saturday, and the southbound lanes re-opened about 20 minutes later.

Pacific Coast Highway is closed between the State Beaches and Seacliff off-ramps, and is expected to re-open by 5 p.m.

The Orange County Fire Authority also sent a strike team consisting of 18 firefighters to help battle the fire, said OCFA Capt. Larry Kurtz.

The Ventura County Fire Department reported two minor injuries to firefighters, one an ankle injury and the other an injury to a knee.

A Red Cross shelter is at the Carpinteria Veteran Memorial, 941 Walnut Ave., Carpinteria.

--City News Service contributed to this report. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.