Ventura Fire Is 95% Contained

A wildfire that burned about 4,000 acres of hillside brush north of Ventura was nearly surrounded Monday, as favorable weather helped firefighters.

The fire was 95% contained, with only two outbuildings burned.

“The fire is looking a lot better,” said Joe Luna, a spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department. “Basically, the fire is pretty much a done deal.”

The blaze erupted Friday in School Canyon and initially threatened 200 homes, stoked by dry Santa Ana winds. The winds died down, but returned Sunday with gusts of nearly 50 mph. Firefighters had strong containment lines and made progress despite the resurgence of the winds.

Wind was no longer a factor Monday and cooler temperatures also helped crews, Luna said.

More than 900 firefighters remained on the scene 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Crews, along with a water-dropping helicopter, were completing the containment line and working to put out hot spots, Luna said.

Full containment was expected by 6 p.m. today, he said.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.