Homeowners urged to evacuate as Mountain Fire spreads in Ventura County
CAMARILLO, Calif. – On the morning after Election Day, the Mountain Fire burned homes with campaign signs still in their yards.
Some homes left smoldering burned next to others untouched by flames.
Jan Demonsy and her husband made hotel reservations in case they needed to evacuate.
While checking on their home, they noticed flames next door coming toward their fence.
They flagged down help and a fire crew passing by came stopped to help.
"This is what I'm talking about, there is still flame back here," said Demonsy, pointing to the side of her home by her garage.
She didn't want to leave, but her husband agreed with firefighters that it was time to go.
"This is a neighborhood that has parties together and loves each other and it is just so disastrous to see this," said Demonsy.
Her husband, who sells insurance, said the best thing is to have insurance.
They made reservations at a hotel by the beach in Oxnard.
Firefighters said flying embers in Camarillo have sparked spot fires 2.5 miles away.
That has caused the fire to spread in Moorpark, Somis, and into the Santa Clara riverbed in Santa Paula plus places in between and further out.
"First responders have been impacted, too."
Ventura County Sheriff, Jim Fryhoff, said "We have members, that are working, who have lost their homes as well. So please, if you are advised to leave the area, leave the area."
Local firefighters describe it as a classic Santa Ana wind event with wind gusts up to 80 miles.
"If the smoke is laying down, meaning it is so windy out and pushing in your direction, that is always a good reason to get out," said Santa Barbara County Fire Captain and information officer, Scott Safechuck.
Some residents were rescued from their homes by crews in the morning when the fire started.
They were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries such as smoke inhalation.
"Your homes can be replaced, your lives can't," said Ventura County Fire Chief, Dustin Gardner.
First responders urge people to sign up for alerts in their communities and to have a plan.
By midnight about 800 crews were fighting the fire and protecting homes.
Edison crews were also putting out gas flames next to destroyed homes.
An evacuation center has been set up at Padre Sierra Parish at 5205 Upland Rd. in Camarillo.
The cause of fire remains under investigation.
To sign up for alerts visit https://readyventuracounty.org
For more information visit https://vcemergency.com
