Sherwood Lake brush fire scorched nearly 80 acres in Thousand Oaks

A brush fire that scorched nearly 80 acres in Ventura County caused a widespread smoke odor tonight in the San Fernando Valley.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department sent a water-dropping helicopter, two camp crew strike teams -- each comprising 13 people -- and an engine strike team of about 25 firefighters to help battle the blaze, according to
Supervising Dispatcher Michael Pittman.

The helicopter was later released, he said.

The fire, which has scorched an estimated 78 acres and was zero percent contained, broke out about 3:45 p.m. near Lake Sherwood in Thousand Oaks, according to Capt. Mike Lindbery of the Ventura County Fire Department.

About 375 firefighters were battling the blaze and expected to remain on scene through the night as an increase in relative humidity and even fog should help their efforts to contain the flames.

"With the weather conditions we are expecting tonight, I think we are going to get a lot of good progress (by morning)," Lindbery said.

Darkness was making the firefighting effort hazardous, prompting a slow and steady approach, Lindbery said.

As of about 9 p.m., no injuries had been reported and no structures were damaged or threatened.