Fire Burns Hillside Near Simi Valley

A small fire on chaparral-covered hills between Simi Valley and Moorpark created a traffic-stopping spectacle on Tierra Rejada Road on Wednesday afternoon, but the blaze was quickly brought under control.

The fire, on the Mahan Ranch north of Tierra Rejada Road, charred less than two acres of the steep, scrubby hillside and some brush in a small ravine.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The blaze was spotted about 3:50 p.m. by employees of the Bountiful Harvest Nursery, across the street from the Mahan Ranch at 1450 Tierra Rejada Road.

“First, there was a lot of smoke, then some flames, so we called the Fire Department and they were out here in five minutes,” said 20-year-old Nick Satel of Simi Valley.

Authorities said battling the fire was complicated by gusty winds and hilly terrain.

“It was driven by the wind and the weather,” said Ventura County Fire Department spokeswoman Sandi Wells, who added that recent warm temperatures had created an abundance of dry grass, which fueled the fire.

The department responded with seven engines, a bulldozer, a water-dropping helicopter and a crew of 31 firefighters and had the blaze close to containment by 5:45 p.m.