Live updates: Mountain Fire grows to 19,600 acres, moves toward Santa Paula, Somis communities
ByABC7.com staff
Last updated: Thursday, November 7, 2024 11:18PM GMT
Stream Southern California's News Leader and Original Shows 24/7
CAMARILLO, Calif. (KABC) -- Thousands of residents were forced to flee a fast-moving wildfire, called the Mountain Fire, as it consumed dozens of homes in several Ventura County communities.
The Mountain Fire grew to 19,600 acres by Thursday afternoon, with no containment, Cal Fire said. The blaze is now moving toward the communities of Santa Paula and Somis after destroying parts of Camarillo. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The out-of-control brush fire broke out near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road at approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The fire department initially described the incident as a two-alarm fire that burned 250 acres, but it quickly exploded due to the strong Santa Ana winds and dry brush in the region.
Mountain Fire in Moorpark evacuations, road closures, evacuation shelter
Evacuation orders:
Zone 1 - North of Somis: areas north of East Los Angeles Avenue/Hwy 118, west of Balcom Canyon Road, and east of La Vista Avenue
Zone 2 - Saticoy Country Club: east of Los Angeles Ave/Hwy 118, and south of the Santa Clara River and north of Beardsley Road
Zone 3 - Areas south of Hwy 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/Spanish Hills areas): north of Las Posas Road, south and east of Central Avenue and Beardsley Road, and west of Anacapa Drive
Zone 6 - The area extending south of Santa Clara River, east of Los Angeles Avenue, north of Saticoy County Club, and west of Briggs Road
Zone 7 - The area north of Hwy 101 and south and east of Beardsley Avenue, and south of Central Avenue
Zone 9 - The area east of Santa Paula Community Golf Course, north along Santa Clara River, west of South Mountain Road at Sespe Street, south to Bixby Road
Zone 10 - An area extending east of 12th Street to Willard Road, south of HWY 126 along Santa Clara River
Unincorporated Somis: West to Saticoy Country Club, east to Balcom Canyon Road, south to Highway 118.
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 93012
Large animal evacuation center: The Ventura County Fairgrounds are at full capacity and will not be able to take any more large animals that were evacuated. If someone has a horse or livestock that needs to be evacuated, call Ventura County Animal Services main number at 805 388-4341 to get details on an alternate location to board them.
Small animal evacuation center: Ventura County Animal Services (Camarillo Airport) 600 Aviation Drive Camarillo, 93010
Father and son save homes from fire using shovel, garden hose
Steve got so close to the flames, that embers burned holes straight through his flannel shirt. "All three of these houses would be gone if we weren't here," his son said.
Steve Abel and his son Erik stayed behind in their Moorpark neighborhood, against the evacuation orders. They know authorities do not advise this, but they wanted to take matters into their own hands.
They said they did what they could with shovels and a garden hose to keep the fire from destroying several homes near Green Tree Drive. Steve got so close to the flames, that embers burned holes straight through his flannel shirt.
"All three of these houses would be gone if we weren't here," Erik said.
Young couple's home destroyed by fire 1 year after moving in
Neighbors in the Las Posas Estates area say a young couple had just moved into the home about a year ago. Now, all that's left standing is their mail box and some remnants of the fireplace.
Dozens of homes were decimated by the massive Mountain Fire in Ventura County.
Eyewitness News reporter Sophie Flay was reporting along Garrido Drive in the Las Posas Estates neighborhood, where several homes were scorched, including one that had completely burned to the ground.
Neighbors say a young couple had just moved into the home about a year ago. Now, all that's left standing is their mail box and some remnants of the fireplace.
2:49 AM GMT
When will wind conditions improve?
Wind velocities in the Camarillo area will see a break between 1 a.m. - 3 a.m. Thursday, but winds will still be between 20-35 mph during that period, according to ABC7's chief meteorologist Dallas Raines. The winds are expected to be less powerful by late afternoon, but a red flag warning will still be in effect.
