The Associated Press
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Firefighters said Tuesday they had gained an upper hand on a brush fire that has burned 30 acres and briefly threatened 20 homes.
The fire was 15 percent contained early Tuesday, said Ventura County fire dispatcher Vicki Crabtree.
Steep terrain not accessible by fire engines made battling the blaze, which started Monday, a slow go, but winds had calmed down overnight allowing crews to get a handle on the fire.
They continued to douse hot spots, and there was no timetable for when the fire would be 100 percent contained, Crabtree said.
The blaze broke out in hills as “red flag” warnings were posted for fire danger due to gusty offshore winds and low humidity levels in Ventura County and parts of neighboring Los Angeles County.
Thousand Oaks, with a population of 127,000, is about 40 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.
More than 200 firefighters were on the lines Monday and two helicopters made water drops over an area of modern homes, many set in cul de sacs amid hills, that were briefly threatened by flames.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.