Wildfire burns 20,630 acres in Ventura County, destroys 174 structures

Firefighters from Southern California counties and throughout the state were making significant progress in their battle against a massive wildfire Monday in Ventura County that has forced thousands of residents to evacuate, injured at least six people and destroyed or damaged nearly 250 structures.

The Mountain Fire was initially reported Wednesday around 9 a.m. on South Mountain near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads in the Somis area, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. Santa Ana wind gusts and steep terrain enabled the brush fire to swiftly grow. It eventually reached the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Camarillo Heights moving west, north and south.

State fire officials said the blaze has scorched 20,630 acres. Containment jumped to 36% as of late Monday morning and increased steadily through the weekend.

Officials reported “minimal fire activity overnight” as crews continued to construct and improve containment lines. “Fire suppression repair operations are ongoing and damage inspection teams remain out in the fire area assessing affected structures.”

Containment went from 26% to 31% on Sunday after increasing from 7% Friday to 17% Saturday morning. The fire was threatening an estimated 11,337 structures on Saturday, but by Monday norming that estimate dropped to 6,094.

A Cal Fire status report released Saturday morning credited favorable weather with aiding the firefight, but “terrain in some areas continue to be a challenge. Threats remain to critical infrastructure, highways and communities, while active fire continues to burn within islands of unburned fuel.”

An update Friday said, “The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain, with dry and receptive fuels, which have challenged containment efforts.” Although the fire moderated as a result of decreasing winds, it “remains a threat to critical infrastructure. Islands of unburned fuel will continue to burn within the fire footprint.”

According to Cal Fire on Monday morning, 174 structures have been destroyed and 74 damaged.

Approximately 10,800 electrical customers in the county experienced an outage Thursday evening, officials said. Southern California Edison established resource centers for the public at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center in Moorpark, Simi Valley Senior Center located at 3900 Avenida Simi and the Ventura Beach Marriott, 2055 Harbor Blvd.

Road closures are in effect, and officials said Ventura County residents should enroll in the VCAlert program for up-to-date information.

Cal Fire listed these road closures Saturday:

Ventura County Sheriff jurisdiction:

— Crestview Northbound at Bella Vista;

— Las Posas Northbound  at Lewis;

— Aprisa Northbound at Ponderosa;

— Waters Road from Stockton.

California Highway Patrol jurisdiction:

— Santa Clara Eastbound from the 118;

— Balcom Westbound from the 118.

Ventura County Public Works jurisdiction:

— East Road from Posita Road to Stockton Road;

— Posita Road from Balcom Canyon Road to East Road;

— Shekell Road from Broadway Road o CA-23;

— Central Avenue from Rose Avenue to Santa Clara Avenue;

— Valley Vista Drive from Fairway Drive to Crestview Drive;

— Fairway Drive from Fairway Court to Valley Vista Drive;

— Center School Road from CA-118 to Fairway Drive;

— Clubhouse Drive from Los Angeles Avenue to Northridge Drive;

— La Cumbre Road from CA-118 to Donlon Road;

— Donlon Road from CA-118 to Bradley Road;

— Stockton Road from Balcom Canyon Road to Grimes Canyon Road;

— La Vista Avenue from CA-118 to W. La Loma Avenue;

— Price Road from CA-118 to E. La Loma Avenue;

— Aggen Road from CA-118 to La Loma Road;

— Berylwood Road from Bradley Road to Aggen Road;

— Bradley Road from Old Balcom Canyon Road to Berylwood Road.

Officials also said additional closures included northbound Lewis Road at Las Posas, eastbound Highway 118 at Wells Road and westbound Highway 118 at Tierra Road were closed. In unincorporated Somis, roads were closed west to Saticoy Country Club, east to Balcom Canyon Road and south to Highway 118.

Ventura County sheriff’s officials said 10 minor injuries have been reported as a result of the blaze, most involving smoke inhalation.

Cal Fire reported five civilians and one firefighter suffering injuries.

Authorities ordered about 10,000 people to evacuate. Shelters were opened at Padre Parish, 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo; for large animals at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 E. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, and the Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real in Santa Barbara; and for small animals at the Camarillo Airport, 600 Aviation Drive.

Information on areas under evacuation orders and warnings is available on the Cal Fire website.

The Los Angeles Fire Department announced Wednesday nearly 100 of its firefighters were battling the blaze, along with fire personnel from Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica.

The Glendale and Riverside fire departments also sent personnel to the fire lines, while the Angeles National Forest sent two engine strike teams, two hotshot crews, two helicopters and several fixed-wing aircraft.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that the state had secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help fund the firefight. On Thursday, the fire prompted Newsom to proclaim a state of emergency in Ventura County.

Friday he issued an executive order to “expedite debris removal and cleanup, authorize state agencies to expedite the procurement of resources, and allow mobilization of the California National Guard,” according to the governor’s office. “The order also suspends various legal and procedural requirements to facilitate rapid response and recovery, including contracting and bidding laws, waiting periods for unemployment benefits, fees for replacing lost documents, and licensing requirements for health and social services facilities. It also allows waivers to support schools, health facilities, and care providers impacted by the fire and ensures sufficient staffing for emergency response.”

Over 2,800 personnel were assigned to the firefight Monday — 392 engines, 52 hand crews, 34 water tenders, 22 dozers and 16 helicopters, according to Cal Fire.

Authorities said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Updated Nov. 11, 2024, 12:12 p.m.

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