“I don’t know that we could have...

“I don’t know that we could have done anything any better given the circumstances and the resources.”

Ventura County Fire Chief George E. Lund.

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“We came, we saw and we conquered. Now it’s time to go home.”

Larry Hadley, a firefighter from Los Gatos.

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“This spring ought to be beautiful. In fact, we’ll begin to see green within a few weeks.”

Rose Rumball-Petre, a natural resource specialist with the National Park Service.

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“I want to be the guy who whispers in their ear and says, ‘Look out over there, it’s coming over that ridge in a few minutes. Be ready for it.’ ”

Fire behavior expert Doug Campbell.

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“Now that it’s almost over, I’m realizing that when you’re over 50 you might be too old for this kind of stuff.”

Howard Johnston, 53, of Fire Station 52 in Camarillo.

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“It sounds good so far, but the proof is in the pudding.”

Yerba Buena Road resident Hayden Clark on his prospects for receiving federal emergency aid.

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“It makes the human being seem helpless. And then you wonder about all the beasties, the squirrels and things.”

Robert Murray, a golfer who witnessed the inferno’s start at Los Robles Golf Course.