When a wildfire like the Mountain Fire causes so much damage, at least one thing that California homeowners do not have to worry about is the possible loss of their insurance.  

State law requires a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies canceling or non-renewing residential insurance policies in certain neighborhoods after the governor has issued a state of emergency.    

As soon as Cal Fire establishes a perimeter at a fire site, the Department of Insurance will “put a lock in place,” according to insurance broker Karl Susman    

Read the full story here.

The Mountain Fire continues to burn 20,485 acres in Ventura County as of Friday morning.

Fire crews have reached 7% containment in the fire, according to the Cal Fire website.

Both Jedd and his son Jeremiah Graham did all they could to try and save their beloved Somis Home from being destroyed by the Mountain Fire.

The family tried not to panic as they had experienced fires before. Unfortunately the winds picked up and the Grahams has no choice but leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

"We used fire extinguishers as much as we could but once you know there’s nothing you can do, you just try to grab what you can," said Jessica Graham.

Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer warning for price gouging following Governor Gavin Newsom's declaration of a state of emergency in Ventura County.

“California’s price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food, and other essential supplies,” said Bonta. “If you see price gouging — or if you've been the victim of it — I encourage you to immediately file a complaint with my office online at oag.ca.gov/report or contact your local police department or sheriff’s office.”

California law prohibits changing a price by more than 10% of what the seller charged for an item before the declaration of a state of emergency.

Devastated Camarillo residents returned Friday evening to find their homes in ashes after the Mountain Fire swept through the area.

"Oh its gone. There’s nothing left," said Camarillo resident Merrion Gearheart.

Winds have began to weaken and will continue to do so throughout Friday.

The red flag warning has been extended until 11 a.m. for mountains and deserts.

The Mountain Fire in Ventura County burns for the second night, growing to 20485 acres.

Firefighters from multiple agencies work to grow containment lines as wind conditions begin to improve.

Containment of the Mountain Fire was at 5% going into Friday, according to Cal Fire.

See which Ventura County schools are closed on Friday, November 8, 2024, due to the Mountain Fire at https://t.co/8zT8KbUUNw pic.twitter.com/dMr14NSFfq

— Ventura Co Ofc of Ed (@VenturaCOE) November 8, 2024

People living in Santa Paula are closely monitoring the Mountain Fire and watching the smoke moving closer to their neighborhoods.

Henry and Mary Lou White, who own a home on 12th Street, are fearful that their house will be one of the dozens of homes that have been burned to the ground in the Mountain Fire.

“You’ve seen it really all your life where there’s big fires and all that,” Mary Lou said. “But when it’s close, it’s kind of scary for me anyway.”

⚠️UPDATE ⚠️ ALL current closures for the #MountainFire will remain in effect overnight. Closures will be reassessed in the morning at the multi agency briefing.

— CHP Moorpark (@CHPMoorpark) November 8, 2024

Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County after the Mountain Fire swept through the community burning over 19,000 acres.

"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," said Newsom.

The California Governor toured the Ventura County area Thursday, as crews continued to battle the wildfire.

A total of 132 structures are destroyed and 88 others were damaged in the Mountain Fire, fire officials said in a news conference Thursday evening.

Among the destroyed properties, many of them are homes.

Ten damage assessment teams are currently surveying the area, but officials caution it may take some time to go through all properties.

The Mountain Fire, which began in Somis, Ventura County Wednesday, has now burned 14,500 acres, according to Cal Fire Thursday evening.

Fire officials are not said exactly how many homes were destroyed or damaged as the flames remain active and is moving toward the Santa Clara River.

The area is forecast to see more high winds and low humidity through Friday.

#MOUNTAINFIRE UPDATE:
VC Fairgrounds is AT CAPACITY. Santa Barbara Equine Evacuation Team is accepting large animals evacuated due to the Mountain Fire. Please call 805-892-4484. The evacuation center is at Earl Warren Showgrounds: 3400 Calle Real, Gate C, Santa Barbara. pic.twitter.com/kk8Yj0otPz

— VC Animal Services (@VCAnimalService) November 7, 2024

The Mountain Fire has grown to more than 20,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.

Use this 3-D map to see where the fire is burning, evacuation orders and more.

The Ventura County Fire Department will have an update at 6 p.m.

#MountainFire - MEDIA ALERT
A press conference has been scheduled regarding the Mountain Fire. Members of the media are encouraged to attend for updates directly from operational leaders on the fire’s status and response efforts.

What: Mountain Fire Press Conference
Where: 10… pic.twitter.com/dYJvkIalrt

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) November 8, 2024

Evacuation orders remain in effect for communities near the Mountain Fire. Here's an updated list provided by Ventura County, updated as of 3 p.m. Thursday.

Emergency Evacuation Shelter

Padre Serra Parish
5205 Upland Road
Camarillo, CA 93012

Large Animal Evacuation Center

Ventura County Fairgrounds is at capacity and cannot accept any more animals. Please take large animals to Earl Warren Showgrounds.

A NASA satellite image captured the extensive smoke plume from the Mountain Fire in the hours after the wildfire began in Ventura County.

The satellite image was captured at 12:50 p.m. PT when the fire had already burned 1,500 acres. The fire began at about 9 a.m.

The area where Mountain Fire broke out was under a PDS red flag warning, indicating a particularly dangerous situation involving strong winds, low humidity and warm conditions.

"For us in the National Weather Service, it means extreme red flag conditions," said NWS meteorologist Rich Thompson. "When this fire broke out, we were under a PDS red flag warning. Now, we just have a normal red flag warning in effect for that area."

The fire started in the Somis are and quickly burned into Moorpark, Camarillo and Camarillo Heights, destroying several homes. In less than 24 hours, the fire grew to more than 14,000 acres.

The Ventura County Fire Department deliver an update at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The Mountain Fire is one of several active wildfires in California on Thursday.

Here's a morning update from Cal Fire.

The Mountain Fire started Wednesday morning in the hills of Ventura County and expanded to more than 14,000 acres in 24 hours.

Pushed by strong winds, flames spread into Moorpark and Camarillo, burning homes to the ground. Winds continued to fan the fire and cast embers, igniting spot fires in the area.

Below, a map of where the Mountain Fire is burning.

The Ventura County Fire Department issued a morning update on the Mountain Fire.