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Brush conditions around Camarillo are like October, fire officials say — and it's only May. More than 6,500 acres have scorched, forcing evacuations, but no homes have been destroyed. Burned agricultural buildings in the strawberry fields near Cal State Channel Islands have raised concerns about toxic smoke. There has been live coverage on Los Angeles television much of the afternoon, focused on firefighters defending homes separated from the flames by fire breaks. The pictures on TV show starkly the issue of suburban homes encroaching on the wildlands where fires burn.
There is no containment and no plan yet to lift the evacuation orders, according to the Ventura County Star. "We're not out of the woods yet. Because of the changing weather conditions, it can head back into Camarillo," said Ventura County Fire Department spokeswoman Lori Ross. The Santa Ana winds that blew much of the day have given way t onshore winds as evening approaches, the weather people say.
CSU Channel Islands will be closed tonight and Friday. Students who live on campus will not be allowed back in tonight. There is a shelter open at 380 Mobil Ave. in Camarillo. Southbound U.S. 101 and Pacific Coast Highway have reopened after being closed for a time.
East of Los Angeles, the Summit Fire near the San Bernardino National Forest was about 40 percent contained after burning almost 3,000 acres.
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Photo from Ventura County Star/Rob Varela: Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Haskell on Channel Islands Drive near the CSUCI campus.
