Weather Helps Crews Contain Ranch Fire

OJAI —  After high winds last week interfered with firefighters’ plans to tame the stubborn Ranch fire by Christmas Eve, officials Sunday declared the nearly 4,400-acre blaze fully contained.

Increased humidity and mild winds beginning Saturday night gave fire crews the upper hand.

“If the wind’s not blowing, it makes it easier for us to control and contain,” said Doug Lannon, a battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry.

About 900 firefighters were on the scene early Sunday to complete the containment line around 4,371 scorched acres and mop up hot spots. The fire was considered contained at 4 p.m., and by nightfall, about 300 firefighters had been sent home.

The season’s largest brush fire, most of which burned inside the Los Padres National Forest, is expected to be fully controlled--with no remaining hot spots and no threat of spreading--by Thursday evening.

One firefighter sustained minor injuries Sunday when he fell down a hill, bringing the total number of firefighter injuries to five. A spokesman said the crew member suffered cuts and bruises and was taken to Ojai Hospital where he was treated and released.

On Christmas night, crew members were entertained by Ojai residents Jon McCuen, formerly of the Byrds, and Jim Cleary of the Wallflowers.

“They called and said they wanted to give something back to the saviors of their community,” said Lannon.

Actor Malcolm McDowell, an Ojai Valley resident, also stopped by to thank crew members at their evening briefing Saturday.

The projected costs of fighting the blaze, which broke out Tuesday night between Santa Paula and Ojai, is $5 million. The cause is still under investigation. The fire destroyed one home in Sisar Canyon on the first night.