250-acre blaze erupts in Los Padres National Forest

MARICOPA, Calif. (KABC) -- Ventura County firefighters were battling a 250-acre brush fire near Maricopa Highway in the Los Padres National Forest Sunday afternoon.

The blaze, dubbed the "Chorro Fire," was reported at 1:20 p.m. in the 22000 block of Maricopa Highway, just north of Ojai. It started near Highway 33 and Chorro Grande Trail.

No structures were threatened, but Reyes Peak and Pine Mountain campgrounds were evacuated.

More than 1,000 Ventura County and U.S. Forest Service firefighters, along with 10 air tankers and a helicopter were dispatched to quell the flames.

Highway 33 was shut down at Lockwood Valley Road to the north and Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center to the south.