Day 3: Springs Fire at 28,000 acres, 56 percent containment

10 p.m.: Containment remains at 56 percent in the Springs Fire. The Ventura County Fire Department is expected to update its numbers at 8 a.m. Sunday.

“The fire remains at 28,000 acres and that figure is not expected to change significantly,” a post on the department’s Facebook said.

6:45 p.m.: Crews have made steady progress Saturday and have the Springs Fire 56 percent contained, according to the latest numbers from the Ventura County Fire Department.

Weather continues to be a big help.

“A deep marine layer is expected tonight and Sunday night, which will dramatically increase humidity levels and should enhance firefighting efforts,” a statement said.

When the fire first broke out Thursday in Camarillo, temperatures were in the 90s. But a steady dropoff Friday night into this weekend has given firefighters a better handle of the Springs Fire, which was heavily wind-driven at its most out-of-control points Thursday and Friday.

All road closures are now over, except Potrero Road between Wendy Drive and Hidden Valley Road.

2:30 p.m.: The Springs Fire is expected to be fully contained by late Monday, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. 

The fire has burned 28,000 acres and is 30 percent contained with 1,895 fire crews from all over Southern California working to tame the flames.

The bulk of the firefight is happening in the Deer Creek Road and Yerba Buena area, where homes are still at risk.

Pacific Coast Highway remains open in both directions but drivers are being asked to drive carefully in case of falling debris or landslides.

Weather conditions have improved, with weaker winds, onshore flows, higher humidity and lowered temperatures working in firefighters’ favor.

For a map of the Ventura County areas affected by the Springs Fire, visit here. 

9:30 a.m.: Due to smoke from the Springs Fire, an air quality advisory has been issued for select parts of Los Angeles, including the northwest coast of L.A. near Malibu

Outdoor activities are being discouraged an areas where people smell or see smoke. 

“We are also advising schools that are in session in smoke-impacted areas to suspend outside physical activities in these areas, including physical education and after-school sports, until conditions improve,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and County Health Officer.

Malibu residents reported smelling smoke Friday afternoon and evening. 

“The smell of smoke became apparent at our residence on Encinal Canyon 1.5 miles from PCH driving and 3/4 miles as the crow flies,” wrote Carolin, an Encinal Canyon. “I would call it ‘moderate’ in intensity, noticable with every breath and making the eyes burn a bit.”

For more information, read the county’s advisory in its entirety here. 

9:06 a.m. update: The Springs Fire has spread to 28,000 acres but remains confined to Ventura County. Rising humidity levels are expected to help 1,800 firefighters battle the fire, which is now 30 percent contained, through the weekend, weather officials told The Ventura County Star.

Bill Nash, a Ventura County Fire Department spokesman, said firefighters would be making a big push to build a containment line around the areas of Hidden Valley, Newbury Park and Yerba Buena Road, according to the Star. A goal of 100 percent containment was cautiously set for Monday.

Homes along Yerba Buena Road and Deer Creek Road remain under evacuation orders, and Yerba Buena, Deer Creek and Potrero Roads are closed. Pacific Coast Highway is open after being closed for much of Thursday and Friday.

A firefighter and a civilian suffered minor injuries Friday night in a traffic collision away from the fire, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. A firetruck and a vehicle collided near Las Posas and Pleasant Valley roads south of Camarillo.