The Associated Press
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Firefighters used risky nighttime helicopter flights to help douse a wildfire that temporarily threatened 20 homes in Ventura County foothills, a fire official said.
The 30-acre blaze was extinguished despite potentially dangerous fire conditions, including gusty winds and low humidity, county fire Capt. Barry Parker said Tuesday.
No homes were damaged, and there were no evacuations or injuries, he said.
The blaze broke out Monday in an area of hills carved with cul de sacs containing new homes nestled among oaks trees and 10- to 12-foot-tall brush, Parker said.
About 200 firefighters fought the blaze.
“Firefighters were able to set some backfires and keep the fire from getting too close to the homes,” and they remained guarding buildings overnight, Parker said.
Helicopters also made unusual nighttime water drops despite the hazard of power lines, he said.
“It is extremely dangerous,” but officials felt the flights were needed because the homes were in danger, he said.
Residents had cut back brush from their homes, and new building codes requiring fire-resistant tile roofs and stucco walls also helped prevent embers from igniting, Parker said.
Thousand Oaks, with a population of 127,000, is about 40 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.