Southland Crews Continue Fight Against Massive Mountain Fire in Ventura County
Crews from Los Angeles and Orange counties and across the state were among the hundreds of firefighters working Thursday to battle a massive wildfire in Ventura County that has forced thousands of people from their homes, left an unknown number of people injured and destroyed more than 100 structures amid fierce Santa Ana winds.
The Mountain Fire was reported Wednesday morning on South Mountain near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads in the Somis area, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. The blaze quickly exploded in size, fueled by the terrain and driven by gusting Santa Ana winds. The flames eventually jumped the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in the Camarillo Heights area and chewed their way to the west, north and south.
As of Thursday morning, the Ventura County Fire Department estimated the fire had burned 14,500 acres and was 0% contained, with at least 800 firefighters were on the scene. By Thursday evening, Cal Fire put the size of the blaze at 20,485 acres, with 5% containment.
Ventura County fire officials announced Thursday evening that inspections of the burn area determined that 132 structures had been destroyed and 88 others were damaged. Many of them were believed to be homes, but the exact number was unclear.
About 10,800 electrical customers in Ventura County were without power as of Thursday evening, according to county officials, Southern California Edison set up community resource centers at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center in Moorpark, Simi Valley Senior Center at 3900 Avenida Simi, and the Ventura Beach Marriott at 2055 Harbor Blvd. The centers will be open until 10 p.m. Thursday.
The Los Angeles Fire Department announced Wednesday it had dispatched nearly 100 firefighters to the blaze, including at least five strike teams, along with another team that included fire personnel from Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica.
The Glendale Fire Department also sent crews to the fire lines. The Angeles National Forest sent two engine strike teams, two hotshot crews, two helicopters, and several fixed-wing aircraft to help fight the fire.
Sheriff's officials said a total of 10 injuries have been reported from the fire, all considered minor, with most involving smoke inhalation.
About 10,000 people were evacuated. Evacuation shelters were set up at Padre Parish, 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo, for large animals at the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 E. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, and for small animals at the Camarillo Airport at 600 Aviation Drive in Camarillo.
Northbound Lewis Road at Las Posas, eastbound Highway 118 at Wells Road and westbound Highway 118 at Tierra Road were closed.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday afternoon that the state had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with the firefight. On Thursday, Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in the county due to the fire.
"This is a dangerous fire that's spreading quickly and is threatening lives," Newsom said in a statement. "California has mobilized state resources, including personnel, engines and aircraft from Cal Fire and Cal OES, to protect communities as our fire and emergency response teams work around the clock to combat this fire. Stay safe and remain alert for instructions from local authorities as dangerous fire weather conditions continue."
The fire erupted amid Santa Ana winds that forecasters said were capable of reaching 100 mph in particularly wind-prone areas. Much of Ventura and Los Angeles counties were under red flag warnings that continued into Thursday. The winds began subsiding by late Thursday and were expected to keep doing so in the coming days, providing a bit of relief for fire crews.
