1,500 Acres Burn Near Camarillo

A brush fire broke out on South Mountain, about 10 miles north of Camarillo, this morning and quickly spread to about 1,500 acres, the Ventura County Fire Department reported.

The area of the fire includes scattered citrus ranches along La Loma Avenue and firefighting teams were being sent to protect homes and outbuildings. The county fire department dispatched a force of more than 50 firefighters--equipped with 15 engines, three bulldozers and two helicopters--and asked state officials for about 100 more firefighters and water-dropping tanker planes, a spokeswomen said.