California wildfires: 6,500 acres burned, PCH shut down

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Crews clear berms near Borchard Road in Newbury Park in an effort to prevent potential flooding. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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Crews inspect burned areas near Borchard Road in Newbury Park. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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An air tanker drops fire retardant near fire crews in rugged, steep terrain to battle the Gorgonio fire off Highway 243 in Banning. As of 6:30 p.m., the fire was 20% contained at 650 acres. Seven air tankers and two helicopters were on the scene. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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A fire crew made up of prison inmates climbs through a burned area in Hidden Valley looking for hot spots. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Scorched earth and charred trees left behind the Springs fire above Hidden Valley. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A firefighter is dwarfed by the burned hillside above Hidden Valley where the Springs fire burned. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters keep an eye on a smoldering area along Potrero Road in Newbury Park where crews lit back fires last night to prevent further spread of the Springs fire. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Blackened hillsides above Hidden Valley that burned in the Springs fire. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Neighborhood residents gather along Portrero Road in Newbury Park to watch as fire crews mop up after pushing the Springs fire away from the area. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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As dawn breaks Saturday and cooler onshore winds push the Springs fire back on itself, a man walks past a fire truck stationed in the driveway of a home to provide protection for a Thousand Oaks neighborhood. (Eddy Hartenstein / Los Angeles Times)

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A fire crew heads out to do mop-up work in Thousand Oaks early Saturday morning. (Eddy Hartenstein / Los Angeles Times)

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Brandon Middleton, a member of the Rogue River Hotshots from Prospect, Ore., grabs some rest Saturday morning at the fire command post in Freedom Park in Camarillo. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Members of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority get deployment instructions at the command post in Freedom Park in Camarillo. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Ted Schaffer with Cal Fire Rainbow Camp sets his radio at the command post in Freedom Park in Camarillo. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Scott Schuster, left, of the Ventura County Fire Department confirms plans with Jeremy Roesler of Cal Fire and John Spykerman, also of Ventura County Fire at the fire command post Saturday morning. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighter Brent Smith of the Orange County Fire Department sits atop a firetruck as his unit awaits orders Saturday morning. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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California prison inmates enlisted as fire crew members head to tents for rest Saturday morning at the Springs fire command post in Freedom Park in Camarillo. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Flames from the Springs fire threaten homes in Thousand Oaks on Friday. (Eddy Hartenstein / Los Angeles Times)

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A firefighter from Stockton gets into position to fight the blaze in Hidden Valley. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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As smoke billows from the Springs fire, a lifeguard keeps an eye on swimmers at Zuma Beach. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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A light aircraft circles the Camarillo Airport against a sun and sky made red by smoke from the Springs fire, which showed signs of slowing Friday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters from Stockton prepare to extinguish flames off Hidden Valley Rd. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Fire in the hills above Hidden Valley in the Thousand Oaks threatens homes and livestock. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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The Springs fire threatens homes in Hidden Valley and Lake Sherwood. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters work to protect a home in Hidden Valley (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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The Springs fire threatens homes in Hidden Valley. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters work to contain the blaze in Hidden Valley. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters from Rialto keep an eye on the Springs fire from Rancho Saint Frances above Portrero Rd. in Hidden Valley. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters watch smoke rise from the Springs fire in the mountains above Malibu. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Richard Jenson tries to protect his home from the advancing Springs fire in the mountains above Malibu. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters battle hot spots. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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A pillar of flame rises behind Pacific View Road in the mountains above Malibu. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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A deer runs across burnt landscape from the Springs fire in the mountains above Malibu. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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A fixed-wing aircraft drops a load of Phos-Chek on the Springs fire in the mountains above Malibu. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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A firefighting helicopter is dwarfed by smoke and ash from the Springs fire in the mountains above Malibu. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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An aerial view of the Springs fire burning in the Santa Monica Mountains between Malibu and Newbury Park. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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An aerial view of the Springs fire burning in the Santa Monica Mountains between Malibu and Newbury Park. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters battle hot spots from the Springs fire in the mountains above Malibu. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters battle hot spots from the Springs fire in the mountains above Malibu. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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The Spring fire moves south toward the Ventura county line on Pacific Coast Highway near Neptune’s Net. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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A lifeguard tower is silhouetted by the fire above Pacific Coast Highway as flames head toward the ocean. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Picnic tables and trees glow in the firelight at Sycamore State Beach as flames head toward the ocean. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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A firefighter battles flames near structures around Sycamore Canyon as the Springs fire makes its way to Pacific Coast Highway. (Luis Sinco /Los Angeles Times)

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A car passes a lifeguard tower on Pacific Coast Highway as flames head toward the ocean south of Oxnard. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Manhattan Beach firefighters work on a hillside behind homes as a major brush fire rages on Los Vientos Drive in Newbury Park. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Fred Whitelaw hoses down the backyard of his home as firefighters work a major brush fire on Los Vientos Drive in Newbury Park. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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An aerial view of the Springs fire as it burns at Borchard Road. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Manhattan Beach firefighters work on a hillside behind homes as a major brush fire rages on Los Vientos Drive. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Aerial view of Springs fire as it burns at Borchard Road at sunset. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Manhattan Beach firefighters work on a hillside behind homes as a brush fire rages on Los Vientos Drive. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Residents watch as firefighters work a brush fire on Los Vientos Drive. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Kristian Atkins covers his face while watching firefighters work a major brush fire on Barcelona Place. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Motorists stop along Pacific Coast Highway near Point Dume to view and photograph a large plume of smoke blowing out to sea from a wildfire further inland in Newbury Park and Camarillo on Thursday. (Luis Sinco /Los Angeles Times)

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A helicopter makes a water drop on a hot spot in the ridges above Newbury Park. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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A firefighter walks up a smoldering ridge in Newbury Park. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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A firefighter is dwarfed by flames raging across a ridgeline near Newbury Park. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters walk along a charred ridgeline as they set up a fire line in the hills above Newbury Park. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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A Navy firefighter climps the backyard stairs at a home on Via Pluma as the Springs fire threatens hillside homes in Newbury Park. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Matt Plambek stops to photograph firefighters at work on Via Pluma as the Springs fire threatens homes in his neighborhood. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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A helicopter picks up water from a reservoir in Newbury Park to fight the Springs fire. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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A firefighting helicopter drops its load on the ridge near the Dos Vientos neighborhood in Newbury Park on Thursday afternoon. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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Black smoke billows from farm fields near California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo The campus was surrounded by fire and was evacuated. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

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Flames consume a hillside along Borchard Road in Newbury Park. (Scott Harrison / Los Angeles Times)

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Ventura County firefighters position themselves to protect homes from the Springs fire in Newbury Park. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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A Ventura County firefighter dashes to protect homes on Via Santa Ana as the Springs fire rages in Newbury Park. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Ventura County firefighters prepare hoses on Via Santa Ana as they fight the Springs fire in Newbury Park. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Jeff Meinecke rescues a rabbit from the middle of Borchard Road as flames from the Springs fire pushed frightened wildlife from their hillside habitat in Newbury Park. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Pedestrians try to protect themselves from the smoky air along Borchard Road in Newbury Park. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighter hand crew member Steven Alurac works the eastern flank of the Springs fire. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters worked to contain the Springs fire, being fueled by dry Santa Ana winds and warm temperatures. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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A hot shot crew prepares to take on the Springs fire along its eastern flank in Newbury Park. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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A Ventura County firefighter douses burned vehicles in an RV storage area in Camarillo Springs. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Trever Antrin watches as the Spring fire burns near Camarillo Springs. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Ventura County fire makes a water drop over the Dos Vientos development in Newbury Park. (Robert St. John / Los Angeles Times)

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An RV storage area burns and propane tanks explode as a wind-whipped fire burns in Camarillo Springs. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A Ventura county firefighter monitors flames burning behind homes in Camarillo Springs. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A deer runs from the flames in Camarillo Springs. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Residents watch as flames burn behind their homes in Camarillo Springs. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Black smoke rises above an RV storage area that burned in Camarillo Springs. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Nita Hoyle evacuates her mobile home in a Camarillo Springs mobile home park along with her 89-year-old father, Harold Ames. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A homeowner in the Dos Vientos neighborhood runs to pack his belongings and flee the approaching Springs fire in Newbury Park. (Robert St. John / Los Angeles Times)

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The Springs fire burns near the Dos Vientos neighborhood of Newbury Park. (Robert St. John / Los Angeles Times)

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The Springs fire approaches the Dos Vientos neighborhood of Newbury Park. (Robert St. John / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters work to contain the Springs fire in Newbury Park. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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Fire retardant is dropped by an air tanker on flames from the Springs fire in Camarillo Springs. (Scott Harrison / Los Angeles Times)

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The Springs fire burns on the west side of Newbury Park. (Scott Harrison / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters move into position in the smoke-choked Dos Vientos neighborhood of Newbury Park as the Springs fire advances. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Jarrod Lerette, who had just dropped off his daughter at school, watches as a wind-whipped brush fire burns near Camarillo Springs. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters work on the Conejo grade while battling a brush fire near Camarillo. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A helicopter makes a drop as a wind-whipped brush fire burns in Camarillo Springs. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Smoke from a brush fire near Camarillo billows above Newbury Park. (Scott Harrison / Los Angeles Times)

By Christine Mai-Duc, Matt Stevens and Kate Mather

May 2, 2013 1:07 PM PT

Part of Pacific Coast Highway has been closed as crews try to get a handle on a Ventura County wildfire that has scorched at least 6,500 acres in a matter of hours.

California Highway Patrol announced about 12:45 p.m. Thursday that the coastal highway was closed in both directions between Yerba Buena and Las Posas roads because of the Springs fire, which flared along the Conejo Grade of the 101 Freeway in Camarillo.

All lanes of the 101 Freeway remained open, the agency said.

PHOTOS: Camarillo brush fire

Hundreds of firefighters have made some progress on the flank of the wind-driven fire, Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Bill Nash said. But the blaze remained uncontained because crews have been unable to get in front of it, he said.

Helicopters were being used in the attack, but fixed-wing aircraft had been grounded because of the weather conditions, the Ventura County Fire Department said.

Television footage showed numerous motor homes burning in a parking lot along with some type of agricultural building.

MAP: Southland fires

Firefighters are focused on protecting hundreds of homes as the Springs fire moves toward Newbury Park and the Camarillo Springs area, Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Tom Kruschke said. But officials are also preparing in case the blaze moves toward Pacific Coast Highway -- a possibility within “the potential of the fire,” Kruschke said.

But with strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and high temperatures -- not to mention the amount of fuel in the area -- Kruschke said it was hard to say where the flames might go.

“It’s very unpredictable. Winds are swirling and twisting, and we don’t know what way it’s going to turn,” he said. “We’re kind of at Mother Nature’s mercy at this point.”

Evacuations were ordered for the Dos Vientos neighborhood of Newbury Park, the Camarillo Springs area of Camarillo, Cal State Channel Islands and the area south of Potrero Road to Pacific Coast Highway.

Newbury Park High School evacuated its campus shortly after 10:30 a.m. Thursday, citing air quality as the primary factor. While the fire was still burning far away from campus, a large number of students either did not show up or were picked up by their parents because of the fire, leading school authorities to shutter classes for the day.

The Red Cross has set up evacuation centers at the Thousand Oaks Community Park, 2525 N. Moorpark Road, and Camarillo’s Calvary Community Chapel, 380 Mobil Ave.

Kruschke said crews were not immediately able to confirm structure damage, but said they were battling spot fires as the wind pushed embers into residential areas.

Stuart Seto, a specialist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, said humidity had dropped significantly in the area – “from 80% down into the teens, and they’re getting lower.” That, coupled with “extreme” wind gusts, would likely make Thursday “the worst day as far as the fires,” Seto said.

“This is really dry,” he said. “The fire in Camarillo Springs really jumped up from nothing to 100 acres in no time at all.”

Winds also intensified during the day, Seto said, with gusts near the fire measuring about 47 mph.

Nash said the combination of wind and hot temperatures was a “perfect recipe for a fire.”

“We advise anybody in the area to be prepared. Wildfires are very unpredictable -- we don’t know what direction it’s going to go,” Nash said. “We really want people to be prepared. It’s better to do it now before a sheriff’s deputy is knocking on your door.”

Residents watched warily, their packed cars at the ready, as the fire crept closer toward their homes.

“We’re packed and ready to go,” said Jan Moore. “But we’re just hoping they can protect this area here.”

Moore has lived in the Dos Vientos neighborhood for 10 years, but hadn’t decided whether to evacuate. Her street was mostly empty as wind whipped the trees and gardens. Heavy smoke hung in the area.

The police called Moore’s home to tell them to evacuate, but her husband was reluctant to leave. She stood in the middle of the street, looking dazed, as helicopters flew overhead.

“I feel a little numb right now,” she said.

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