Ventura Wildfire Is Partially Contained

Smoke-free skies returned to Ventura on Saturday as lighter winds helped hundreds of firefighters corral a brush fire that scorched about 3,700 acres in the hills and canyons north of the city.

On Friday, wind-whipped flames pushed close to homes, prompting some evacuations. But cooler temperatures overnight helped crews get a handle on the School Canyon Fire, which by Saturday was moving away from town.

By Saturday night, the fire was 60% contained. About 1,300 firefighters and other personnel from across the state helped fight the fire. The cause is under investigation.

Firefighters hope to fully contain the fire by Tuesday evening, said Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Joe Luna.

No homes were damaged or destroyed.

But the fire did burn power poles along California 33 and about 150 oil wells operated by Aera Energy that will be temporarily shut down.

At an Aera Energy facility along School Canyon Road east of Ventura Avenue, two five-person teams of U.S. Forest Service workers used picks, shovels and hoses to ensure that the ash-covered hillside didn’t conceal any smoldering embers.

“We’ve just got to secure the edge. We’ll work until sundown,” said engineer Mikel Mattison, who was overseeing the hand crews.

Ted Witt, Aera’s manager of operations, said firefighters “have done an outstanding job.” Witt said his contractors would work through the weekend to assess the damage and return all wells to operation.

“Our priority right now is to make sure we protect the people who live around here,” Witt said.

Final containment of the fire may be hampered by a return of gusty winds this morning, when temperatures are expected to reach the upper 70s to low 80s, according to the National Weather Service.