Fire Burns 76 Acres, Comes Close to Homes

A fast-moving brush fire that started near the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties Saturday afternoon charred 76 acres and came within 100 feet of homes before it was extinguished, authorities said.

No one was injured as nearly 300 firefighters fought the blaze, which lasted almost three hours before it was put out about 5:30 p.m. near West Hills, authorities said.

A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said a key component in fighting the blaze was the county Fire Department's Firehawk helicopter, a version of the military Blackhawk.