A brush fire scorched about seven acres along the Malibu ridge line today and the flames were about 35 percent contained, authorities said.
The size of the brush fire was downgraded from its original estimate of 20 acres, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Rey Dong.
As of 6:30 a.m., the fire had been about 35 percent contained, said county fire Inspector Randall Wright. No injuries were reported.
The fire, which started in the area of Mulholland Highway and Bardman Street, was reported at 2:55 a.m., Dong said. About 200 county firefighters were dispatched to the scene of the second alarm fire, Dong said.
The fire was burning in heavy brush, working its way uphill in some spots, and authorities shut down Mulholland Highway in both directions near the fire area, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Residents of nearby homes were asked to evacuate, according to authorities. However, no mandatory evacuations have been ordered so far, Dong said.
News reports from the scene said campers at two camps were evacuated, including a self-evacuation at Camp Shalom involving 120 children.
Aerial water drops were being conducted by three water-dropping helicopters, Dong said.
The blaze drew fire crews from Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
