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Springs Fire in Ventura County, Day 2: 18,000 Acres, 20% Contained [UPDATED]
A US Forestry fire fighter preapres to take on an out of control wildfire on May 2, 2013 in Camarillo, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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A savage wildfire is raging into its second day in Ventura County, and firefighters from multiple agencies are working to get the blaze contained.
UPDATE 4:30 PM: The Springs Fire has continued to rage throughout the day.
UPDATE - The Springs Fire that is threatening Newbury Park is now being called 18,000 acres and 20% containment.
— Ventura County Fire (@VCFD) May 3, 2013
_______As of this morning, the Ventura County Fire Department reports that the fire—called the Springs Fire—is 10,000 acres and growing, and is 10% contained. Currently there are 4,000 homes threatened, 15 damaged, but none destroyed. Fortunately so far there have been no firefighter or civilian injuries.
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View Camarillo Springs Fire in a larger map
The VCFD has been using social media to keep the public alerted regarding the fire; they have been posting regularly to Facebook and Twitter.
The fire broke out early Thursday morning in Camarillo Springs, and spread rapidly, with hot, dry conditions sending embers flying and sparking spot fires. Weather conditions are causing significant concerns Friday, according to the Ventura County Star:
Fire officials are worried that the already unpredictable Springs fire may become erratic this afternoon when winds turn around and begin to blow in from the Pacific Ocean.
The firefight today is expected to include some aerial support, however the path of the blaze is towards state parkland on the coast, and officials say "fire retardants cannot be dropped on parkland."
There are evacuation centers and shelters set up, as well as significant closures in the are, including California State University, Channel Islands. The VC Star has a list of those locations online.
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