A brush fire, dubbed the Madera Fire, ignited near the Simi Valley Landfill Wednesday morning, sending smoke across Highway 118 and prompting a temporary closure of some westbound lanes. The fire started around 10:25 a.m. near the landfill and recycling center located at 2801 Madera Road.
Madera Fire Near Simi Valley Landfill
The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) responded quickly to the blaze, which broke out just west of the landfill operated by WM. Upon arrival, crews observed a substantial smoke plume visible from Highway 118. Easterly winds pushed the smoke towards the highway, impacting visibility and traffic.
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Firefighters managed to halt the fire’s forward progress by approximately 11 a.m. A drone assessment later mapped the burned area at roughly 7 acres, although this figure may be subject to revision. Fortunately, no injuries or property damage were reported.
Rapid Response and Containment Efforts
The firefight benefited from aerial support, including air tankers dropping retardant and water-dropping helicopters. These fixed-wing aircraft, readily available due to their deployment at the nearby Franklin Fire in Malibu, were released after ground crews contained the fire’s spread. The rapid response was facilitated by the VCFD’s increased staffing of 100 additional firefighters due to a red flag warning for dangerous fire weather issued by the National Weather Service.
To facilitate emergency operations, the California Highway Patrol closed the right lane of westbound Highway 118 near Madera Road. This closure resulted in temporary traffic backups, with the lane remaining closed into the early afternoon for firefighting equipment staging. At the time of the fire, strong winds, low humidity (around 10%), and dry conditions contributed to the fire risk.
Ongoing Investigation and Regional Fire Concerns
The cause of the Madera Fire remains under investigation. This incident occurred amidst heightened fire concerns in the region, with the Franklin Fire in Malibu having burned thousands of acres since igniting on Monday night under similarly hazardous weather conditions. The red flag warning highlighted the critical fire danger in the area, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and rapid response. The quick containment of the Madera Fire underscores the effectiveness of proactive measures and coordinated firefighting efforts.
