Wind-driven brush fire in Ventura County burns 2,700 acres, evacuation orders lifted

SOMIS, Calif. (KABC) -- Crews on Sunday continued battling a wind-driven brush fire that at one point scorched nearly 3,000 acres in Ventura County, and their progress allowed for evacuation orders to be lifted.

The South Fire first began Saturday morning near the top of the ridgeline on South Mountain in the Somis area, according to a county incident report. Initial reports estimated the blaze at around 4 acres, but it quickly spread to hundreds of acres within hours.

Nearly 24 hours after it started, the Ventura County Fire Department said that the fire's size had grown to 2,944 acres with 15% containment. In afternoon update, authorities said crews reached 50% containment and the fire's size decreased to 2,700 acres.

"Work will continue throughout the night and over the next 3 days to ensure this fire is out," the fire department posted on social media. "The cause is under investigation and there have been no reported injuries."

With gusty winds likely fueling the flames, crews attacked the fire from both the air and ground.

Evacuation orders were issued for some areas during the height of the fire, but by Sunday they had been lifted or downgraded.

An evacuation warning remained in effect for:

Saticoy Country Club Area

- North: Santa Clara River

- South and West: W. Los Angeles Avenue

- East: La Vista Avenue

As of 8 a.m. evacuation orders were lifted for the following areas:

Somis

- North: East La Loma Avenue and West La Loma Avenue

- South: East Los Angeles Avenue

- East: Aggen Road

- West: La Vista Avenue

S. Mission Rock Road Area, Santa Paula

- North: Highway 126

- South: Santa Clara River

- East: S. Briggs Road