KNBC/KVEA
What to Know
- The Mountain Fire burned 10,000 acres early Wednesday afternoon in the Moorpark and Camarillo areas.
- Several people were hospitalized with injuries as the fire quickly spread on a windy day in Southern California.
- Scroll below for a list of school closures impacted by the blaze.
- Evacuation shelters have been created for residents, small animals and large animals.
- Residents of Ventura County can register to receive the latest emergency information from the county via VC Alert.
A brush fire that moved with devastating speed in the Moorpark and Camarillo areas of Ventura County burned more than 10,000 acres Wednesday and forced evacuations as strong winds pushed flames into neighborhoods.
Injuries were reported and several homes burned in the Mountain Fire, which was reported around 9 a.m. off the 118 Freeway, near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. The fire department said that the strong winds in the area were contributing to the challenging conditions.
The fire crossed the 118 Freeway and entered the Camarillo Heights area.
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"Several individuals have been injured and transported to local hospitals," the Ventura County Fire Department said. "Numerous structures are currently threatened."
Homes were destroyed in the Camarillo and Moorpark areas. Video from NewsChopper4 showed several homes burned to the ground, but authorities did not have an estimate on the number of homes destroyed.
#MountainFire UPDATE:
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) November 6, 2024
The fire has crossed Highway 118 and is now impacting the Camarillo Heights area. Evacuation orders are in effect, and we urge residents to follow these orders for their safety. Several individuals have been injured and transported to local hospitals.… pic.twitter.com/rWpKIdDfpe
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Details about the injuries were not immediately available, but fire officials said the injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Powerful winds grounded fixed-wing aircraft because of “very dangerous” conditions caused by gusts. The winds could cause turbulence for pilots. Thick smoke also made it difficult to see from the air.
Water-dropping helicopters were still making runs on the fire, some dropping water directly onto homes.
“140 firefighters are on scene, utilizing 58 fire apparatus, with additional helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft requested to assist,” the department said.
The strongest winds of the week were expected Wednesday with gusts up to 80 mph in the mountains and foothills of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Similar winds are expected once again in the mountains Thursday night.
Chief Jeff Shea of the Ventura Fire County Department noted the region’s red flag weather condition, and how it’ll contribute to the flames through Thursday.
“What that means is critically low, relative humidity," he said. "The amount of moisture in the air is less than 10%, which is critical for us and for fire behavior and the sustained Santa Ana winds.”
"Gusts as high as 100mph are possible in wind-prone mountainous locations," according to a statement from county emergency officials. "In addition to windy conditions, low relative humidity with poor overnight recovery is expected. A Red Flag Warning has been issued starting Wednesday at 4 a.m. through Thursday at 6 p.m. for all areas of Ventura County."
In a press conference Wednesday, Chief Dustin Gardner of the Ventura County Fire Department urged all residents under evacuation orders to vacate their properties as soon as possible.
“These aren't one of these fires where you can wait and predict and maybe stay home," he said. "Your homes can be replaced, your lives can't. Leave … Our firefighters and law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can to protect lives, so we need your help staying out of the way.”
Evacuation orders
- N Hwy 118 to the ridgeline, west to Saticoy County Club
- Saticoy Country Club to Balcom Canyon Rd.
- North Lewis Rd to Los Posas Country Club to North of Loop Drive (Camarillo Heights Area)
- East to Balcom Canyon Road
Evacuation warnings
- Neighborhoods west of Wells Road, east of Petit, north of the Santa Clara River, and south of Foothill Road.
Evacuation shelters
- Padre Serra Parish -- 5205 Upland Rd., Camarillo, CA 93012
- Ventura County Fairgrounds (for large animals) -- 10 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001
- Ventura County Animal Services (for small animals) -- 600 Aviation Dr. Camarillo, 93010
School closures
Due to the ongoing blaze, several schools in Ventura County announced they will be closed. The following schools will be closed Thursday and Friday:
- ACE Charter High School
- Mesa Union School District
- Santa Paula Unified School District
The following schools and districts will be closed Thursday:
- Bridges Charter School
- Briggs School District
- CAPE Charter School
- Golden Valley Charter School Resource Center
- Hueneme Elementary School District
- Ivy Tech Charter School Resource Center
- MATES Charter School
- Mupu Elementary School District
- Oxnard School District (K-8)
- Oxnard Union High School District
- Peak Prep Academy Resource Center
- Pleasant Valley School District
- Rio School District
- River Oaks Academy Resource Centers (Oxnard & Westlake)
- Santa Clara Elementary School District
- Somis Union School District
- University Preparation Charter School
- Vista Real Charter High School (Camarillo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme & Ventura)
According to Capt. Trevor Johnson of the Ventura County Fire Department, the blaze is burning in several ways.
"The fire is burning in various fuel types, including agricultural and various brush and grasses that we have in our county," Johnson said. "Resources that arrived on scene initially were faced with a tough firefight.”
Gus Garcia, who owns a ranch south of the fire, told The Associated Press that he was waiting to see whether conditions will change before evacuating horses and cattle. His ranch is surrounded by others with horses and alpaca, and Garcia said his neighbors in the canyon did not seem panicked.
"The horse community, they prepare for this because it’s always a possibility up here,” he said.
California's latest statewide wildfire update shows a staggering increase in the number of acres burned compared to last year. As of Monday, Cal Fire reported more than 1 million acres have burned since the start of the year. At this point last year, only 308,000 acres had burned.
The five-year average is 1.2 million acres through Nov. 4.
Residents of Ventura County can register to receive the latest emergency information from the county via VC Alert. Click here for more information.
