Firefighters make progress on fire above Simi Valley

A brush fire above Simi Valley had chewed up more than 40 acres by Thursday evening, but Ventura County firefighters have made tremendous progress in reining it in, authorities said.

Capt. Mike Lindberry said 14 fire engines, more than 120 firefighters, water-dropping helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft have stalled the blaze. Those efforts were helped by a breeze that met the flames as they ran up the north face of a hill.

“We’re looking good,” Lindberry said of the fire, which was reported at 3:48 p.m.

The flames affected local Metrolink service but were moving away from homes soon after the fire started. By about 6 p.m., Lindberry said, there was a lot of smoke but no active flame front. The fire was about 30% contained and firefighters were confident it would be fully controlled soon.

Fire officials said that although the fire was initially aided by winds and dry fuels, the winds were not very strong and the temperatures were not especially high.

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