Firefighters Begin Controlled Burns

Fire crews are burning clusters of brush in the Ojai area this week in an effort to reduce the potential for wildfires, authorities said.

The controlled burns are in the area near Fairview and Foothill roads above Camp Ramah.

Removing the debris, which consists of mostly dead vegetation, creates a buffer zone between open space and nearby homes, said Joe Luna, Ventura County Fire Department spokesman.

Burning started Tuesday and continues through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to about 4 p.m. daily.

“Homeowners have already done their hazard reduction,” clearing their yards of brush, Luna said. “We’re going one step further.”