A brush fire broke out in northern Simi Valley on Wednesday afternoon, threatening a number of homes before fire crews were able to get a handle on the blaze.
About 200 firefighters were battling the Sharp fire amid a sweltering heat wave that was expected to stretch on for several more days.
The fire was reported at 1:47 p.m. in the hills off Sharp Road near Ditch Road, said Andrew Dowd, public information officer with the Ventura County Fire Department. One firefighter was hospitalized Wednesday with minor heat-related injuries, Dowd said.
The fire, mapped at 133 acres, burned through grass and medium to light brush, he said. Firefighters had boosted containment to 15% by Wednesday night.
About 60 homes along Ditch Road were ordered to evacuate, and a temporary evacuation point was established at Rancho Santa Susana Community Center. By about 6:15 p.m., all evacuation orders and warnings had been lifted, and the evacuation point was deactivated.
Authorities asked that the public continue to avoid the area to allow crews to work.
