A second day of firefighting threatens new areas
It looked like the coast was in black and white, rather than color, Friday morning.
A thick fog of smoke blanketed the area along the Pacific Coast Highway between Naval Base Ventura County and Malibu.
The coast highway was only open to firetrucks.
Dozens of engines drove onto the base to help with evacuations and get their assignments. A seabee firing near Mugu Rock burned down.
By midday when temperatures soared to 90 degrees firefighters were called to Portero and Hidden Valley roads.
The fire that started on Camarillo Springs Road in Camarillo Thursday morning made its way to the coast overnight and then started heading back over the Santa Monica Mountains toward populated neighborhoods.
The fire threatened multi-million dollar horse ranches along Hidden Valley Road.
When horse trailers had trouble getting into the area being guarded by deputies, horse owners ran alongside their horses to get them out.
About a hundred people watched water-dropping helicopters across from a popular hiking trailhead near the corner of Potrero and Wendy Drive.
Their eyes seemed glued to the flames flaring up along a ridge.
Many said they were surprised to have fires near their homes for a second day in a row.
The fire is only contained on the 101 freeway side by the Conejo Grade.
Some of the area burned in 1993, but the fuel grew back, and it appears the fire can’t get enough of it.
By sunset the fire had grown to 28,000 acres.
About a thousand firefighters are trying to contain it.
They have saved countless structures. Only 15 houses have been damaged but not destroyed by flames.
