Firefighters have regrouped in Lockwood Valley after the Day Fire escaped containment lines on the northwest perimeter. The fire jumped the original dozer line on the ridge above Lockwood Valley and blew over Piru Creek Monday night. Tuesday night it destroyed six structures.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department has issued a recommended evacuation notice for the community of Lockwood Valley. The Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at Frazier Park High School. Precautionary evacuations are underway in Pinon Pines, Lake of the Woods, and Highway 33 from Rose Valley to Lockwood Valley Road.

Flames have scorched about 145,000 acres since the fire broke out on Labor Day. Containment is now at 43 percent. The fire is burning nine miles north of Santa Paula, six miles north of Fillmore, and 7 miles east of Ojai. To date, it has cost nearly 37 million dollars to fight. Governor Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency for Ventura County to allocate aid and state funds.



Roads:
Highway 150 between the city of Santa Paula and the City of Ojai is now open. Reduced speed limits are in effect and will be noted by posted signs.
Highway 33 will be remain closed to the general public between Wheeler Gorge and Ozena, near Lockwood Valley. The road will be open to residents with ID and persons with Sheriff's Department issued Agricultural Passes.
Lockwood Valley Road will remained closed from Highway 33 to Lake of the woods in Frazier Park. As above, the road will be open to residents with ID and persons with the issued Agricultural Passes.