A more than 9,000 acre brush fire in Ventura County which prompted thousands of evacuations earlier in the week is now 50% contained on Sunday. The Maria Fire started Thursday night on South Mountain, quickly spreading down from a mountain range to threatened areas like Somis and Santa Paula. But, there is now no visible flames and very little smoke coming from the burn areas, as firefighters get the upper hand on the fire.
All evauation orders and road closures were lifted Saturday.
More than 1500 firefighters are working to fully control the fire, focusing on hot spots which could flare up. The weather is cooperating, with just light wind. The humidity is starting to increase, with an onshore breeze in the forecast for the next few days. Ventura County Fire Department officials say they hope to have full containment on Friday
Three structures have been confired destroyed, but crews are out in the field doing assesments to see if more may have been lost.
