Bay Area fire teams dispatched to Ventura

Strike teams from Bay Area fire departments are responding to the Thomas Fire that has burned more than 50,000 acres of brush in Ventura County.

Ten engines comprising 44 firefighters from Marin County Fire, San Rafael, Ross Valley, and Tiburon left Tuesday morning, Marin County Fire Battalion Chief Bret McTigue said:

“We expect more requests throughout the day.”

Four Alameda County firefighters with Engine 304 and four firefighters from the Mountain View Fire Department who are part of the San Mateo County strike team were deployed this morning.

The Thomas Fire was reported around 6:25 p.m. Monday. It started north of Santa Paula near state Highway 150 and was zero percent contained as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Cal Fire officials.