Forward progress has been stopped on a brush fire that erupted near Ojai in unincorporated Ventura County on Tuesday, prompting the full closure of Highway 33, authorities said.
The Vista Fire, located at the highway and North Ventura Avenue, erupted around 2:47 p.m., according to the Ventura County Fire Department. It was originally moving uphill, with wind gusts affecting the flames, before firefighters gained the upper hand on the blaze.
As of Tuesday evening, the fire had burned 117 acres and was 50 percent contained.
Highway 33 was closed in both direction as Canada Larga Road; the stretch was expected to closed throughout the night as crews mopped up after the blaze.
Santa Ana Road can be used as a detour. Authorities urged all drivers to use alternate routes, such as Highway 150, in and out of Ojai Valley.
Ventura Teen Challenge, a school in the 6700 block of North Ventura Avenue, was evacuated and 60 students left the area, according to authorities.
At least 3,289 customers were without power during the height of the fire.