Several Ventura schools in Thomas Fire burn areas evacuated as precaution to possible mudslides

VENTURA, Calif. (KABC) -- Several schools in Ventura were evacuated as a precaution to the heavy rains that could create mudslides.

Another cell of heavy rains may hit the area in the late afternoon and could impact the hillsides still scarred from the massive Thomas Fire.

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There is no immediate threat to the schools, authorities said, but the areas were identified as spots that could see mudslides and debris flows.

The following schools were evacuated:

• De Anza Academy of Technology and the Arts
• Lincoln Elementary School
• Loma Vista Elementary School
• Cabrillo Middle School
• Ventura High School

Later Tuesday, mandatory evacuations were issued for areas in Ventura County affected by the Thomas Fire as well as the recent and devastating Woolsey Fire.

The Thomas Fire started on Dec. 4, 2017 and raged on for more than a month, causing more than 10,000 people to evacuate their homes before it was finally contained in January 2018. It destroyed more than 1,000 homes and structures.