LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A look at fires burning around California on Thursday:
--An 8,000-acre blaze that began along U.S. 101 in Ventura County was 10 percent contained. It prompted the evacuation of neighborhoods in Camarillo and Thousand Oaks, along with the 5,000-student campus of California State University, Channel Islands, and twice forced the shutdown of Pacific Coast Highway. A store of highly toxic pesticides was burning on a farm near the university, prompting air quality warnings. Embers scattered along ridges and into neighborhoods abutting the brush lands and smoke streamed for miles. More than 500 firefighters were called in, aided by water- and fire retardant-dropping aircraft.
--A 12-acre grass fire in Riverside County was fully contained after destroying two homes and damaging two others in the Jurupa Valley area. Ten vehicles and a boat also burned. An elementary school and a gas station were evacuated. Fire officials believe it was started by a discarded cigarette.
--A 4,000-acre Riverside County fire that began Wednesday north of Banning was 40 percent contained after destroying one home. Nearly 700 firefighters and aircraft worked the fire in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. Most of the area was being mopped up but active flames remained in some areas. Two firefighters received minor injuries.
--A 10,000-acre fire north of Butte Meadows in Tehama County spread was 10 percent contained and did not threaten any homes. Nearly 500 firefighters were battling flames.
--A 125-acre Sonoma County fire was 60 percent contained. It was expected to be surrounded Thursday by the efforts of more than 260 firefighters.
--A 217-acre fire in Glenn County was 50 percent contained. There were nearly 150 firefighters at the Elk Creek site but the steep terrain made it hard to reach.
--A 55-acre wildfire in Butte County was 70 percent contained and holding. More than 180 firefighters battled flames in the timberland.
Source: State and local fire agencies.
