Winds have died down, progress of all Ventura County fires has stalled, containment of the Ranch and Magic fires is expected later today, evacuations have been lifted and most road closures lifted.

In addition, while smoke from the fires is still present and expected to continue, officials say air quality is improving. However, they warn there can still be some times when air will be unhealthy and they continue to urge residents to use caution.

Fire fighters from across Ventura County are continuing to battle the Ranch Fire at this hour from the ground and from the air.

The fire, which crossed into Ventura County two days ago, was 45 percent contained as of 10:45 a.m. today.

Fire officials hope to have it fully contained by Oct. 31.

The fire has so far scorched 51,000 acres. The fire's western most flank has reached Oat Mountain, west of Piru Lake, said Capt. Pete Jensen of the Ventura County Fire Department.

"Fortunately for everyone, the winds are cooperating," Jensen said.

Weary fighters are going to a park in Fillmore where they are resting up before going out again to fight the fires again.

The mood at the temporary fire camp in Fillmore seemed more relaxed this morning, thanks in good part to the weakening Santa Ana winds.

Those winds made it very difficult to fight the more than dozen fires that have sprang up Southern California during the past four days. Firefighters would try to establish a containment line, only to have the winds carry embers over their heads and onto parched brush and scrubland behind them.

Despite the difficult topography, firefighters are having an easier time with the Ranch Fire than they did either the recent Day or Zaca fires, said Fred Burris, a captain with the Ventura County Fire Department.

Firefighters had to contend with thicker brush with the Day and Zaca fires, Burris said.

As firefighters have gained the upper hand in controlling the blazes here in Ventura County and northern Los Angeles County, many have been sent south to fight the fires in San Diego County, the scene of some of the most devastating infernos this week.

Some 40 firefighters from across Ventura County, including the cities of Ventura, Oxnard and Santa Paula, as well as Ventura County firefighters, are now in San Diego County, Jensen said.

Back in Ventura County, officials were able to able to reopen Highway 126 today. They also rescinded a recommended evacuation offer for residents of Piru.

An emergency center set up in Fillmore for those who left their homes, is scheduled to close at 6 p.m. today.

Meanwhile, six military cargo planes are waiting for word on where to join the air strike against the fires at Lake Arrowhead and San Diego.

The six C-130 aircraft are outfitted with a high-tech firefighting system, which sits inside the cargo bay. It can spray a 100-foot-wide area that¹s a quarter-mile long.

Each system contains five pressurized tanks capable of carrying 2,500 gallons of fire retardant.

The planes, which are based in Colorado Springs, Colo., Cheyenne, Wyo. and Charlotte, N.C., are being made available thanks to an agreement between the U.S. air National Guard and the U.S. Forest Service.

A wind advisory, which has been in place across the region since Sunday, was canceled today. The National Weather Service says heavier winds will persist at higher elevations today and Thursday.

But ocean winds are expected to return to much of coastal Ventura County later today. The winds are expected to be around 10 mph.

Temperatures across much of Ventura County are expected to remain in the mid to upper 90s today, despite the weakening Santa Anas.

As the high pressure system over the Great Basin in Utah moves east, temperatures here are expected to drop over the coming days, said Bill Hoffer, a spokesman for the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

Hoffer said temperatures should be back to the mid-70s by Sunday or Monday.

The air quality in Ventura County, which was blanketed with smoke during the first half of this week, also is improving, said Mallory Ham, an air-pollution meteorologist for the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District.

While the county continues to receive some smoke from the nearby fires, much of that smoke is higher up in the sky.

³We don¹t have nearly as much of it at the ground level as we did earlier this week,² Ham said.

The air quality is expected to improve in the days to come.

A shelter, which had been set up at the Ventura County Fairgrounds earlier this week for large animals, also is closing today. However, pet owners can still take their smaller animals to a similar shelter in Camarillo at 600 Aviation Drive. The shelter¹s phone number is 805-388-4341.

Here's the latest on county incidents from the Ventura County Fire Department:

Ranch Incident: As of 6 am, October 24, the fire has burned 51,337 acres and is 45% contained. This acreage is down from some previous reports due to more accurate mapping flights. 1,264 personnel are currently assigned to the incident. Seven structures - three residences and four outbuildings - have been destroyed. Containment is expected October 31.

Where: Active fire came through portions of the Condor Preserve in the Hopper Canyon area, but none of the facilities were destroyed. The fireline east of Piru is secure. The western progress of the fire was slowed by helicopter water drops in the area of Oat Mountain. The fireline between Piru and Fillmore will be the focus of the firefighting efforts today.

Evacuations: ALL FIRE-RELATED EVACUATIONS IN VENTURA COUNTY HAVE BEEN LIFTED. Residents of western Los Angeles County should call the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (661-255-1121)for evacuation information in their areas.

The American Red Cross Shelter at 511 Second Street in Fillmore is scheduled to close at 6 p.m.

Road Closures: Fillmore: C St. between Old Telegraph and Meadowlark to accommodate firefighting equipment. ALL OTHER FIRE-RELATED ROAD CLOSURES IN VENTURA COUNTY HAVE BEEN LIFTED. Residents of western Los Angeles County should call the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (661-255-1121)for road closure information in their areas.

Magic Fire: 8:15 am, October 24 -- The fire that started near Magic Mountain in Los Angeles County has been stopped 3 miles east of the Ventura County line and is now being handled by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. 105 personnel are currently assigned to the incident to improve the fire-lines and mop-up hot spots. The fire is being contained at approximately 2,824 acres. It is 93% contained with full containment expected by 8:00 am on the 24th, with full control by 8 pm. Some smoke from this fire may still blow into the Simi Valley and Westlake Village.

Evacuations: ALL FIRE-RELATED EVACUATIONS AND ROAD CLOSURES IN VENTURA COUNTY HAVE BEEN LIFTED. (Residents of western Los Angeles County should call the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (661-255-1121)for evacuation information in their areas.)

Fire officials expect to have the 4500 acre Malibu fire fully contained by this afternoon, said Capt. Kurt Schaefer of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The fire was 75 percent contained as of 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Though the fire area is not completely contained, there are no flames and hardly any embers on the fire line, said Schaefer.

From the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District:

Due to the smoke from many of the wildfires in and around Ventura County, it is possible that almost all areas of Ventura County will encounter smoke at some time. Air Quality in areas affected by the smoke are considered to be unhealthful. The Santa Ana winds are decreasing and the air quality is getting better.

And there will be periods of time where the air quality is "Good." And there will be periods when it will be "Unhealthy". If you smell smoke, be cautious and use common sense to protect your family's health. Everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults and children should limit time spent outdoors, and limit prolonged or heavy exertion. If you or your family is experiencing health problems, contact your health care provider. This advisory will be extended as conditions warrant.