Wildfire reported in national forest area in Ventura County

Staff reports
| Star of Ventura County

A wildfire in the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County grew to 600 acres Tuesday night, threatening structures in the remote area, authorities said.

Residents were evacuated from the Apache Canyon Road area after county authorities issued an evacuation order.

The fire was reported shortly after 6:30 p.m. and smoke was visible near Highway 33, also known as Maricopa Highway, and Apache Canyon Road, the Ventura County Fire Department said.

As of 10 p.m., the Apache fire had reached 600 acres and was out of control, according to area fire officials.

The fire was burning about a half mile east of Highway 33. The U.S. Forest Service was leading the firefighting effort.

The location along the state route is generally between Lockwood Valley Road and the unincorporated community of Ventucopa in Santa Barbara County.

Capt. James Sullivan of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said earlier Tuesday night that officers were in the area helping to report residents. There are about a dozen ranch properties in the area. No injuries or property damage were reported, Sullivan said.

At 10:30 p.m., residents were evacuated, county fire officials said. Authorities had previously issued evacuation warnings, meaning residents should be ready to leave.

Firefighters tried to contain the fire within Apache Canyon.

According to forest service officials, four large firefighting aircraft and one very large firefighting aircraft (VLAT) had been ordered for the firefighting.

The region’s fire department sent a Firehawk helicopter, fire engines, a fire truck and two emergency vehicles to assist.

Firefighters reported before 9 p.m. that some structures were threatened. Video and photos from a county helicopter crew showed active flames in the canyon below.

Cameras part of the Alert California network showed a large plume of smoke rising in the area before darkness fell. The glow of flames peeked over a mountain ridge before 8:30 p.m.

This story may be updated.

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Wildfire reported in national forest area in Ventura County

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