Howard Fire 50% Contained in Los Padres Forest

​Update by the edhat staff
October 9, 2022

The Howard Fire is holding at 85 acres and 50% containment as of Sunday morning.

Air tankers and water-dropping helicopters will be back in the air to slow any spread. Threats remain to recreational sites and critical watersheds, according to the Los Padres National Forest.

By the edhat staff
October 8, 2022

A brush fire in the Los Padres National Forest above Ojai created a plume of smoke seen from parts of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, and Ventura on Saturday.

It’s located in Rose Valley on forest land east of Highway 33 and Rose Valley Road, approximately a mile from the Bear Creek campground.

Named the Howard Fire, it broke out around 3:30 p.m. and is mostly located in rugged terrain, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

At 6:30 p.m., crews estimated the fire to be around 80 acres although the forward progress had slowed significantly.

Aircraft responded with water and retardant drops to cut off the fire’s growth. 

There are currently no reportedly injuries, although several hikers and campers did require air transport out of the area.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.