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The Ranch Fire is now 70 percent contained and continues to be fought with helicopter drops and backfiring operations. The estimated cost has now hit $7 million. The Magic Fire is now 100 percent contained with only five firefighters assigned to patrol for hot spots.

Fire officials are also warning of scams involving solicitations for money to benefit firefighters.

The warning on the Ventura County Fire Department Web site reads "Any resident receiving a visit, call, letter or e-mail soliciting funds for firefighters in Ventura County is urged to call their local law enforcement agency or the fire department. The Ventura County Fire Chief’s Association and the associations representing professional firefighters request that anyone wishing to honor local firefighters visit the Web site for the Fallen Firefighters Memorial (http://www.ffmemorial.org/)."

Here are the latest updates on local fires from the Ventura County Fire Department:

Brush Fire: Ranch Incident. As of 6 am, October 25, the fire has burned 55,756 acres and is 70% contained. 905 personnel are currently assigned to the incident. Nine structures - one residence and eightoutbuildings - have been destroyed. Containment is expected October 31, 2007. Estimated cost of the fire to date: $7,000,000.

Where: North of Piru and Fillmore. 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 is being slowed by helicopter water drops and backfiring operations by hand crews and dozers. 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.

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.

Notes: Ventura County is still experiencing intermittently high amounts of smoke in the atmosphere. The smoke may pose a health risk for some individuals. For additional information on evacuations, school and road closures and a Health Advisory, visit the Ventura County Sheriffs Department Web site at http://www.vcsd.org, or phone 805-654-2551.

SCAM ALERT: The Ventura County Fire Department wants to alert county residents to fraudulent efforts in the area soliciting funds allegedly for the benefit of firefighters currently battling wildfires in the county. None of the agencies involved in fighting the Ranch Fire, the Magic Fire, the Nightsky Fire or any other fires in the county have authorized any fundraising activities. Any resident receiving a visit, call, letter or e-mail soliciting funds for firefighters in Ventura County is urged to call their local law enforcement agency or the fire department. The Ventura County Fire Chief’s Association and the associations representing professional firefighters request that anyone wishing to honor local firefighters visit the Web site for the Fallen Firefighters Memorial (http://www.ffmemorial.org/).

Update: SMOKE CONDITIONS - Wind and weather conditions are changing, but portions of Ventura County may still be impacted by smoke from fires to our east, primarily the Arrowhead fire. Other fires, including the Ranch Fire, are also producing large amounts of smoke that may affecting the county. For a Health Advisory on smoke, please visit the Ventura County Sheriffs Department Web site at http://www.vcsd.org or call (805-654-2551).

Update: MAGIC INCIDENT (LA County near Magic Mountain)- 6:00 am, October 25. 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 as a division of the Buckweed Fire. 5 personnel are currently assigned to the incident to patrol for hot spots and to prevent any flare-ups.The fire was contained at 2,824 acres. It is now 100% contained. 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.)

Update: AIR QUALITY ADVISORIES - For Air Quality Advisory information, please visit the Web site of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District: http://www.vcapcd.org .