Calm, moist air aids fight against Calif. wildfire

CAMARILLO, Calif. — Moist, cool and calm weather is greatly helping Southern California firefighters battling a huge wildfire in coastal Ventura County.

Fire spokesman Tom Kruschke says containment of the blaze 50 miles west of Los Angeles has increased to 30 percent Saturday morning.

High winds and dry heat have been replaced by moist air from the ocean, and Kruschke says the fire is significantly laying down. The rugged Santa Monica Mountains are swathed in smoke but flames are no longer prominent.

The fire has burned more than 43 square miles since breaking out near Camarillo (kam-uh-REE-oh) Thursday morning. Flames have threatened thousands of homes since then but only 15 have been damaged.

Weather forecasters say there's a 20 percent chance of rain showers in the area by Sunday afternoon.