Brush Cleanup Helps Homes Escape Fire

A 5-acre fire that burned grass and eucalyptus trees in a Simi Valley neighborhood Tuesday afternoon stayed clear of houses, thanks in part to earlier brush-clearance efforts by homeowners, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

The fire, which began about 1:50 p.m. behind the Sinaloa Golf Course near Irvine Road, started when a spark from a lawn mower ignited the dry grass, said Fire Department spokeswoman Sandi Wells. A 15-mph breeze pushed the fire, which burned in a row of mature eucalyptus trees.

“There was concern because the [debris] created by the trees can be deep, and sparks from the fire can hide in it and be hard to find,” Wells said.

More than 80 firefighters, including hand crews from the California Department of Forestry, fought the blaze. The fire crept near homes with shake roofs, but recent weed-clearing by residents helped the firefighters, Wells said.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire, which was out at 3 p.m.