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Live updates: At least 132 structures destroyed by Mountain Fire in Ventura County

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Last updated: Saturday, November 9, 2024 1:56AM GMT
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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 stood at 20,638 acres as of Friday evening, with 14% 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.

Nov 08, 2024, 12:25 AM

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 8 - An area extending south of South Mountain Road, east of Briggs Road, and west of 12th Street and Bixby Road
  • 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
  • Zone 11 - South of the Santa Clara River, north of the ridge bottom of South Mountain at the rock quarry, west of Grimes Canyon Road, east of San Cayetano Street
  • Zone 12 - The area north of Los Angeles Avenue, west of Grimes Canyon Road, east of San Caytano Street, south of the ridge bottom of South Mountain at the rock quarry

  • Unincorporated Somis: West to Saticoy Country Club, east to Balcom Canyon Road, south to Highway 118.

Evacuation warnings:

  • Zone 7 - The area north of Hwy 101 and south and east of Beardsley Avenue, and south of Central Avenue

Road closures:

  • Northbound Lewis Road at Las Posas
  • Eastbound Highway 118 at Wells Road
  • Westbound Highway 118 at Tierra Rejada Road
  • Stockton Road between Waters and Balcom Canyon

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

Fire information hotline:
805-465-6650

David González Image
Nov 08, 2024, 8:07 PM GMT

How did the Mountain Fire spread so fast?

We're getting a better look at how the destructive Mountain Fire in Ventura County was able to spread so quickly and easily.

A 3D map of the fire area shows where the fire started near Moorpark. Hot embers were able to be carried by the wind for three miles, allowing the flames to the jump the 118 Freeway. That's when the the fire made its way into more densely populated neighborhoods in Camarillo.

While you can't stop the spread of embers, there are other steps you can take to help protect your home. During red flag warning days, experts say small improvements to weak points around your home, such as vents and garage doors, could make a significant difference.

"When you leave for the day, close the windows in the house. Do things so that your house isn't so open and available and porous to wind or embers, or other issues that might present themselves during the day," said Yana Valachovic with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

We're getting a better look at how the destructive Mountain Fire in Ventura County was able to spread so quickly and easily.
KABC logo
Nov 08, 2024, 9:04 PM GMT

Camarillo residents lean on each other for support: 'I cried like a baby'

Some Camarillo residents are offering their support to those who lost their homes in the Mountain Fire.

Peter Nichols told Eyewitness News though he's grateful he still has his home, he has great empathy for his friends whose homes were destroyed.

"Nobody knew anything about our house, whether it was still here or not," he said. "From the top of the street, we could see the roof of this house. It's just overwhelming. I cried like a baby. My wife and I hugged."

Many said the Mountain Fire reminds them of the the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which killed three people and destroyed 1,600 homes.

Many said the Mountain Fire reminds them of the the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which killed three people and destroyed 1,600 homes.

Josh Haskell Image
Nov 08, 2024, 6:54 AM GMT

Cause of Mountain Fire remains under investigation

Investigators are working hard to determine what sparked the wind-driven Mountain Fire, which quickly scorched more than 20,000 acres in Ventura County.

Firefighters believe the blaze started Wednesday morning in Somis, but they don't yet know the cause.

Brian Williams, who has lived in Somis for 22 years, recalls seeing the smoke pour into the sky that morning after his wife called him.

"Around 9 a.m. she called me and there was smoke coming up over the back of our property pretty fast. I head home and halfway home she said she could see flames, we have a back pasture. It had already encroached onto the house. It was chaos. They had evacuated. The fire was approaching the house."

Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked the Mountain Fire, which spread to more than 20,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes in Ventura County.

Ventura County Fire Capt. Trevor Johnson says they haven't determined the origin.

"No idea on the cause of the fire," Johnson said. "Again, we are fully committed to bringing resolve to the incident. That is a part of our incident management strategy. But that's under investigation currently."

Amy Powell Image
Nov 08, 2024, 6:05 AM GMT

Family loses everything after home destroyed in Mountain Fire

The Perez family's home was one of several destroyed by flames that tore through a mobile home park in Somis. The family had lived there for more than 25 years and had just moments to grab important documents and escape.

"I don't feel anything now. Everything lost, everything gone, all my memories, all my life was there," Reyna Perez said.

A GoFundMe campaign has been made to help the family.

The Perez family's home of more than two decades was one of several destroyed by flames that tore through a mobile home park in Somis.