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A Los Angeles Fire Department Station 105 firefighter hoses down hotspots at a home which was destroyed in the Mountain Fire on November 8, 2024 in Camarillo, California. Fueled by strong winds, the fire has burned across more than 20,000 acres and destroyed over 100 structures, many of which are homes, since it began November 6. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Fire crews from Los Angeles and Orange counties and across California are working Friday to battle a wildfire in Ventura County after it has destroyed 132 structures. Another 88 structures were damaged.
The wildfire, known as the Mountain Fire, has forced thousands of people to evacuate from their homes, amid the Santa Ana winds. According to Cal Fire, the blaze has left five people and one firefighter injured.
The fire was first reported Wednesday morning on South Mountain near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads in the Somis area, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. It quickly grew to 20,765 acres with a 7% containment, as of Friday. According to Cal Fire, an estimated 11,768 structures are threatened by the blaze.
"The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain, with dry and receptive fuels, which have challenged containment efforts. Fire activity moderated due to the decrease in winds over the fire," Cal Fire said. "The fire continued to back in areas where it had not been tied into control lines. The fire remains a threat to critical infrastructure. Islands of unburned fuel will continue to burn within the fire footprint."
As of Thursday evening, about 10,800 electrical customers in Ventura County didn’t have power. Community resource centers were set up by Southern California Edison at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center in Moorpark, Simi Valley Senior Center at 3900 Avenida Simi, and the Ventura Beach Marriott at 2055 Harbor Blvd. The centers are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Evacuation centers have also been established in Camarillo. They were set up at Padre Parish, 5205 Upland Road. For large animals, an evacuation center was set up at the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 E. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, and for small animals at the Camarillo Airport at 600 Aviation Drive in Camarillo.
The L.A. Fire Department had dispatched nearly 100 firefighters, including five strike teams and another team that included personnel from Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica, according to the department.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday the state had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help fight the blaze.
"This is a dangerous fire that's spreading quickly and is threatening lives," Newsom said in a statement. "California has mobilized state resources, including personnel, engines and aircraft from Cal Fire and Cal OES, to protect communities as our fire and emergency response teams work around the clock to combat this fire. Stay safe and remain alert for instructions from local authorities as dangerous fire weather conditions continue."
A total of 2,420 fire personnel were assigned to the fire, according to Cal Fire. In addition to the fire personnel, 378 engines, 34 hand crews, and 14 helicopters.