Live updates: Mountain Fire burns multiple homes in Camarillo, Moorpark, Somis
Last updated: Thursday, November 7, 2024 3:21AM GMT
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CAMARILLO, Calif. -- Thousands of residents were forced to flee a fast-moving wildfire, called the Mountain Fire, in Ventura County that has already damaged multiple homes. Chris Cristi in AIR7 estimated that at least 40-50 homes have burned from what he could see.
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 described the incident as a two-alarm fire that burned 250 acres, but it quickly exploded and is now more than 14,000 acres.
The fire crossed Highway 118 and is now burning southwest toward the "Highway 101 Corridor." The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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
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: 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
Fire information hotline: 805-465-6650
3:19 AM GMT
FEMA funds granted to support response to Mountain Fire
California secured federal assistance from FEMA after a request from Gov. Gavin Newsom was granted.
"This is a dangerous fire that's spreading quickly and threatening lives," Newsom said 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."
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.
