[UPDATE] Ventura Fire Shuts Down Freeway Between Carpinteria and Ventura

Downed power lines blamed for fire; highway back open; firefighter battle against Solimar blaze continues.

By Nick Welsh December 26, 2015

3 min read

[UPDATE] Ventura Fire Shuts Down Freeway Between Carpinteria and Ventura — Sixty-percent contained as of Saturday evening, the Solimar Fire burned 1,250 acres at its height mid-afternoon Saturday.

[Update, 3:43 p.m.]

Downed power lines on private property caused the Solimar Fire, Ventura County Fire public information officer Mike Lindbery told The Santa Barbara Independent. As the Ventura County Star reported, high winds knocked down the power lines, which were located north of Solimar Beach. Authorities plan to open the Pacific Coast Highway, as well as lift the evacuations for the Solimar Beach community and Faria Beach area, at around 5:00 p.m. Saturday, said Lindbery.

[Update, 2:00 p.m.]