California wildfire burns 1200 acres northwest of Los Angeles, closes highway

In this photo provided by Ryan Cullom, a engine holds its positions as fire overruns state Highway 101 near Ventura, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015.

The fire burnt through around 1,500 acres of land, triggering closures and mandatory evacuations in the area.

More than 400 firefighters continue to work the scene, he said.

The fire began late Friday northwest of the city of Ventura and immediately reached Pacific Coast Highway, also known as the 101. Evacuation orders have been lifted for residents; Emma Wood State Beach remains closed. Fire rips through dry brush at Solimar BeachDuring a mid-morning press conference, fire officials estimated firefighters would be working on the blaze for the next three days. The fire was 10 percent contained. The northbound lanes re-opened around 1:45 p.m. Saturday, and the southbound lanes re-opened about 20 minutes later. The winds eased Saturday, and the fire stopped growing.

Gusty wind and a wind advisory remain in effect until Sunday. "We're getting a bunch of embers in Solimar east".

Earlier, a 15-mile stretch of Interstate 101 was reopened.

The Red Cross had set up a shelter in Carpinteria at the Veteran's Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Avenue. It quickly spread along the coast, moving firefighters to shut down U.S. Route 101, known locally as Highway 101, a major freeway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Lindbery said that more than 500 firefighters were sent to battle the fire that is feeding off thousands of acres of drought-stricken forest and grasslands.

No structures were damaged, but there were "numerous miscellaneous vegetation fires in and amongst that Solimar community", Battalion Chief Fred Burris said.

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