Firefighters Contain Blaze in Los Padres

A fire consumed about seven acres in Los Padres National Forest on Tuesday before being contained by Ventura County and National Forest Service firefighters.

The blaze, which Forest Service officials believe was caused by hikers, was contained by 100 firefighters by 12:40 p.m. Nine fire engines, three helicopters and an air tanker responded.

Kathy Good, spokeswoman for Los Padres National Forest, said the fire started in Santa Paula Canyon behind Thomas Aquinas College about 7:30 a.m. The area is about two miles from Highway 150 and six or seven miles north of Santa Paula.

Good said the fire hit an area only accessible by hiking.

“It was an area of light vegetation,” she said. “It was not a heavily forested area. It was most likely caused by humans, but we haven’t determined if it was an accident or intentional.”

Sandi Wells, spokeswoman for the Ventura County Fire Department, said 22 county firefighters joined the attack. Aircraft were notified of the fire at 7:30 a.m. but couldn’t get off the ground until the fog abated about 8 a.m., she said.

Although the incident was small and contained, Wells said conditions are “perfect” for a major forest fire.

“There is low humidity and dry fuel, and even a small breeze can whip it up,” Wells said. “There is a lot of fuel to burn that hasn’t burned in years. There is a potential for a catastrophic fire.”