Brush Fire Detains Commuter Train

An Amtrak commuter train on its way to Santa Barbara was detained briefly when a fire burned alongside the tracks Saturday near the Ventura River, sending a thick column of smoke over the city.

The blaze broke out about 5 p.m. in an area of thick vegetation known as Hobo Jungle, west of the river near Emma Wood State Beach.

“There are lots of trails down in there,” said Ventura city Fire Department Capt. Myles Smith.

“Transients hang out here a day at a time. But I didn’t see any indication it started in a camp,” Smith said.

About 20 firefighters from Ventura city and county fire departments battled the half-acre blaze, using chain saws to cut away trees. And a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter made several water drops to bring the flames under control.

Pushed along by ocean breezes, smoke from the fire blew toward downtown Ventura and was visible from Oxnard, authorities said.

The northbound train rolled up to the burn area about 5:30 p.m. After making a brief stop, the conductor slowly rolled through, waved on by firefighters.

Firefighters were to remain on the scene for about two hours to douse hot spots, Smith said.