Ventura County's Mountain Fire reaches 82% containment after destroying 240 structures
Firefighting efforts against the massive Mountain Fire in Southern California's Ventura County continue to make progress — reaching 82% containment a week after it sent thousands fleeing, injuring multiple people and destroying at least 240 structures.
The wildfire sparked the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 6, and exploded to more than 20,000 acres within two days, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds and extremely low humidity. It started near Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road, on South Mountain in the Moorpark area, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. It had spread to 1,000 acres within the first hour.
Since then, improving weather conditions have helped firefighters get up the wildfire's containment, which has climbed consistently over the past week. After scorching more than 20,000 acres within two days, firefighters have managed to keep the blaze from spreading significantly since then and many evacuees have been allowed to return.
On Thursday, Nov. 14 — just over a week after the fire broke out — it was estimated at 20,630 acres and 82% containment, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. Meanwhile, as evacuations are lifted in Ventura County neighborhoods and residents return, many have come back to find their homes completely destroyed.
"It's hard to see this. It's harder today for me than it was even a few days ago to wrap my head around the gravity of what has happened to our home," said Jamie Randall, who was evacuated from her house in the Camarillo foothills.
With recovery efforts just starting to begin, a local assistance center offering help to wildfire victims opened Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center, located at 5100 Adolfo Road in Camarillo, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
When the blaze first sparked, the eastern area of Ventura County where it started had been placed under a severe, relatively rare weather advisory known as a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning, which forecasts the potential for volatile and rapid wildfire growth due to conditions such as powerful winds and extremely low humidity.
With strong gusts — reaching up to 65 mph in the particularly hard-hit Camarillo area — driving the flames forward, firefighters focused on getting people out and saving lives as mandatory evacuations went into effect for more than 10,000 residents. Dozens of houses were burned to the ground, although fire officials have not said how many of the 240 destroyed structures were homes.
As the fire threatened thousands of homes, businesses and other structures, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced federal funding to aid the firefight. Ventura County fire officials have said at least 10 people were injured, some from smoke inhalation, while Cal Fire has said one firefighter and six civilians were wounded. Authorities have said at least two people were hospitalized.
At an overnight shelter in Camarillo, American Red Cross spokesman David Wagner said nurses there treated evacuees for scrapes and burns they suffered while trying to escape.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation as of Thursday, Nov. 14.
- Map and list of evacuation orders
- Road Closures
- Red Flag warnings
- Residents flee
- School closures
- Community meeting
Thousands of residents flee
As the wildfire quickly decimated hundreds of acres of vegetation in just hours, residents were forced to jump into action to evacuate their homes, some watching as flames grew closer to their houses.
"We've never seen anything like this before. Never thought anything like this would happen to us," said Ken Levin, who lives in a home adjacent to the Spanish Hills area. "But fire department is out there, they're bulldozing fire breaks on the back of our property and the wind is going south. So, we feel good about where we are. ... I think we're gonna be okay. Thank God for our firefighters that are here to help us when we need it."
Levin, whose wife had already evacuated by the time he spoke with KCAL News' Jeff Nguyen, was on his way out when he saw the flames start to rip over the hillside.
"Oh my God, my house is in danger," he said, motioning towards his home "I'm alive. My wife is alive. We have everything we need, this can be replaced."
He said that in all the years that he's lived in the area he's "never experienced wind like this."
Jarring video from the scene showed the moments that Ventura County Sheriff's Department deputies rushed into what looked to be an elderly living facility, ushering several wheelchair-bound residents to safety with massive clouds of smoke in the surrounding area.
Evacuation orders and warnings
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation warnings and orders for many residents in Camarillo, Somis and residents near the Santa Clara River. A real-time map of evacuation orders can be found here. For a list, click here.
Authorities established an evacuation center at Padre Serra Parish, located at 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo. Homeowners with large pets were advised to drop their animals off at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, located at 10 E. Harbor Boulevard. Small pets can be brought to the Ventura County Animal Services center at the Camarillo Airport, located at 600 Aviation Drive.
Road closures
The following roads remain closed as of 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13 — the last update given by Ventura County officials.
- Valley Vista Dr/Vista Del Mar
- Valley Vista Dr/Marine View Dr
- Valley Vista Dr/Fairway Dr
- Valley Vista Dr/Deseo Ave
- West Highland Dr/Mission Dr
- Highland Terrace/Mission Dr
- Santa Cruz Way/Mission Dr
- Marissa Lane/Mission Dr
- San Clemente Way/Mission Dr
- East Highland Dr/North Loop Dr
School closures
Some schools remained closed this week, including those in the Mesa Union School District, the Peak Prep Pleasant Valley Learning Center and the Pleasant Valley School District. But other schools in Ventura County will reopen Tuesday.