OJAI : Firefighters Contain 1,900-Acre Blaze
Fire officials reported Wednesday that they had contained a fire, started by a careless camper Sunday in the Los Padres National Forest near Ojai, that consumed 1,900 acres of brush.
Firefighters managed to clear a firebreak around the perimeter of the blaze by 4 p.m. Wednesday and expect complete control by Friday evening, said Earl Clayton of the U.S. Forest Service.
“We’ll be in there a couple more days to mop up any remaining hot spots inside the perimeter,” Clayton said.
The number of firefighters dropped below 1,000 by the afternoon, down from 1,200. The fire apparently began at Lions Canyon Campground.
Investigators believe that the fire started when a camper dumped hot coals on the ground in an area with tinder-dry brush. They have not released the identity of person, who may be held liable for part of the cost of controlling the fire.
Clayton credited a combination of favorable weather and a massive response of personnel for preventing a larger conflagration.
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