Country Fire: Brush Fire Burning Near Homes In Thousand Oaks; Evacuation Orders Lifted

THOUSAND OAKS (CBSLA) — Ventura County Fire Department crews Thursday were battling a brush fire burning near homes in Thousand Oaks, dubbed the Country Fire.

Evacuations were lifted shortly after 6:40 p.m. for those living on Via Colinas and Country Valley Road, with repopulation of the homes underway.

According to VCFD, the fire was 50% contained and one firefighter was being evaluated at a local hospital for minor injuries.

VCFD said Thousand Oaks Boulevard from Lakeview Canyon to Via Merida was briefly closed and all access to Lakeview Boulevard and Via Merida was been shut down. But by 6 p.m., Via Merida had reopened to residents and Country Valley Road was expected to reopen to residents shortly after.

Authorities said the blaze started at about 3:30 p.m. and had grown to approximately 28 acres by 5:30 p.m.

Multiple air resources were responding to the blaze that was said the be burning in medium to thick brush.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.