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CAMARILLO, Calif. — Thousands of homeowners were forced to escape Ventura County after a fast-moving wildfire known as the Mountain Fire destroyed many houses. Chris Cristi of AIR7 believed that at least 40-50 residences were burnt based on what he saw.
An out-of-control brush fire broke out in the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The fire service reported the incident as a two-alarm fire that burnt 250 acres, but it swiftly grew and currently covers more than 14,000 acres.
The fire has crossed Highway 118 and is currently blazing southwest toward the “Highway 101 Corridor.” The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Mountain fire in Moorpark: evacuations,
traffic closures, and evacuation shelter
Evacuation orders:
Zone 1 – North of Somis: lands north of East Los Angeles Avenue/Highway 118, west of Balcom Canyon Road, and east of La Vista Avenue.
Zone 2 – Saticoy Country Club: east of Los Angeles Avenue/Hwy 118, south of the Santa Clara River, north of Beardsley Road.
Zone 3 – includes areas south of Highway 118, west of N. Lewis Road, north of North Loop Drive and Mission Drive, and east of Fairway Drive.
Zone 4 – West Camarillo (Las Posas and Spanish Hills areas): north of Las Posas Road, south and east of Central Avenue and Beardsley Road, and west of Anacapa Drive.
Zone 5- covers the region south of the Santa Clara River, east of Los Angeles Avenue, north of Saticoy County Club, and west of Briggs Road.
Zone 6- is the region north of Hwy 101, south and east of Beardsley Avenue, and south of Central Avenue.
Zone 7- covers the region east of Santa Paula Community Golf Course, north along the Santa Clara River, west of South Mountain Road at Sespe Street, and south to Bixby Road.
Evacuation warnings:
Zone 8 – An area extending south of South Mountain Road, east of Briggs Road, and west of 12th Street and Bixby Road
Road closures:
- Northbound Lewis Road at Las Posas
- Eastbound Highway 118 at Wells Road
- Westbound Highway 118 at Tierra Rejada Road
Temporary evacuation shelter:
Padre Serra Parish
5205 Upland Road
Camarillo, CA 93012Large animal evacuation center:
Ventura County Fairgrounds (Shoreline Gate)
10 E. Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
Small animal evacuation center:
Ventura County Animal Services (Camarillo Airport)
600 Aviation Drive
Camarillo, 93010
FEMA funds granted to support response to Mountain Fire
California received federal aid from FEMA after Governor Gavin Newsom’s request was authorized.
“This is a dangerous fire that is rapidly spreading and endangering lives,” Newsom stated in a statement. “State resources have been mobilized to protect communities, and this federal support from the Biden-Harris Administration will give state and local firefighters the resources they need to save lives and property as they continue battling this aggressive fire.”
Young couple’s home destroyed by fire 1 year after moving in
The huge Mountain Fire destroyed dozens of homes in Ventura County.
Sophie Flay of Eyewitness News was reporting from Garrido Drive in the Las Posas Estates neighborhood, where numerous homes had been burnt, including one that had entirely burned down.
Neighbors said a young couple moved into the house approximately a year ago. Only their postal box and some fireplace ruins remain standing.
When will wind conditions improve?
Wind velocities in the Camarillo region will slow between 1 and 3 a.m. Thursday, but gusts will still range from 20 to 35 mph, according to ABC7’s chief meteorologist Dallas Raines. The gusts are forecast to weaken by late afternoon, but a red flag warning will remain in effect.
Map: Here’s where the Mountain Fire is burning
The Mountain Fire started just before 9 a.m. in the area of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road in Somis.
Fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, it grew within a matter of hours to more than 10,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes in Camarillo.
4 p.m. briefing: 0% containment, dangerous conditions for assessing damage
During the 4 p.m. press briefing, fire authorities provided these updates:
– Fire is 0% contained.
– The number of structures damaged or destroyed is still unknown due to the danger of accessing the area. They hope to start counting on Thursday.
– Two persons were sent to a nearby hospital for smoke inhalation. Their current status was unknown.
– The fire advanced alarmingly fast, spotting more than 2.5 miles ahead of it.
– Fire is now being investigated.
– The fire is spreading southwest to the Highway 101 corridor.
Ventura County Fire Capt. Trevor Johnson stated that when firefighters arrived, they had to immediately take individuals out of their homes to save lives.
Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said thousands of residents were urged to leave, with officials going door to door and driving down the streets with sirens activated. He stated that they always have folks that are unwilling to leave, but they will not force them to do so.
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