Maria Fire is 90% contained after burning over 9,000 acres, destroying 2 homes
SANTA PAULA, Calif. - UPDATE 8:00 a.m. Monday, November 4th NOVEMBER 4TH
The Maria Fire has burned more than 9,000 acres and is 90 percent contained, according to Ventura County Fire Department.Â
CAL Fire says full containment is expected by Friday, November 8th.
Two structures were destroyed in the fire that broke out on Halloween night. Damage assessment crews will be in the field compiling a report on structure damage and agriculture losses.
UPDATE 12:00 p.m. Friday
The Maria Fire remains 0 percent contained after burning 9,000 acres overnight in Ventura County. Two homes were destroyed and more than 2,000 structures are considered threatened, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Water drops were set to resume Friday after planes were grounded due to recreational drones flying in the area of the fire. Authorities urged hobbyists to keep their drones grounded to protect pilots and allow firefighters to continue to battle flames and protect homes.
A second press conference will be held at 6 p.m. with the latest figures.
UPDATE 8:00 a.m. Friday
The Maria Fire north of Somis had burned approximately 8,730 acres, with no containment as of 7 a.m. Friday, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Two structures have been destroyed and 1,800 structures were within the mandatory evacuation area.
An evacuation center was set up at the Camarillo Community Center at 1605 Burnley Street.
Animal evacuation centers were set up at The Humane Society of Ventura County at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai and the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara.
UPDATE 10:30 p.m. Thursday
Ventura County Fire Dept. will hold a press conference at 11:00 pm at Fire Station 51, 3302 Turnout Park Circle in Oxnard with the latest information on the Maria Fire.
The Ventura County Office of Education said the following schools will be closed Friday: Briggs, Hueneme, Mesa Union, Mupu, Oxnard Union High School District, Santa Clara and Santa Paula. The latest on school closures is on vcoe.org
UPDATE 10:00 p.m. Thursday
A fast-moving fire called the Maria Fire has exploded to 4,000 acres, with no containment. The Maria Fire is threatening homes in Somis. 1,800 homes and 7,500 residents are in the mandatory evacuation area. Fire officials say the flames are moving very fast to the west. Forward progress is slower toward Santa Paula. Anyone in the Saticoy area should be prepared to leave at a moments notice.
Evacuations are in place, see the photo below for the exact area.
Santa Barbara Firefighters were sent south to fight the Maria Fire. Mike Eliason wrote in a tweet that a "5-Engine Strike Team and Battalion Chief, along with a 2-dozer strike team from SBC and SLO County as an 'Immediate Need' resource to the Maria Fire burning near Santa Paula in Ventura County."
The Humane Society of Ventura County in Ojai is helping evacuees by accepting animals of all sizes.
Small animals are being accepted at the Animal Services Camarillo Shelter, at 600 Aviation Drive.
The Ventura County Animal Services has arranged for The Earl Warren Showgrounds on Las Positas in Santa Barbara to accept large animals if needed.
The Red Cross is opening a shelter at the Camarillo Community Center at 1605 Burnley st. in Camarillo.
Original story
The Maria fire north of Somis had burned approximately 8,300 acres, with no containment as of 4 a.m. Friday, according to the vcemergency website.
Evacuations are in place, see the photo below for the exact area.
Santa Barbara Firefighters were sent south to fight the Maria Fire. Mike Eliason wrote in a tweet that a "5-Engine Strike Team and Battalion Chief, along with a 2-dozer strike team from SBC and SLO County as an 'Immediate Need' resource to the Maria Fire burning near Santa Paula in Ventura County."
The Humane Society of Ventura County in Ojai is helping evacuees by accepting animals of all sizes.
Small animals are being accepted at the Animal Services Camarillo Shelter, at 600 Aviation Drive.
The Ventura County Animal Services has arranged for The Earl Warren Showgrounds on Las Positas in Santa Barbara to accept large animals if needed.
The Red Cross is opening a shelter at the Camarillo Community Center at 1605 Burnley st. in Camarillo.
This is a developing story, updates will be provided as they become available.
A fire was burning Thursday night in Santa Paula near the airport.
As of 7:45 p.m., the fire had burned 150 acres, according to Ventura County Fire.
They called for precautionary evacuations near Balcom Canyon and 12th street. The latest evacuation information is on vcemergency.com
They're working to keep it South of the 126 freeway, North of Los Angeles Avenue (118), East of Vineyard avenue, and West of Balcom.
Callers first reported the flames before 6:30 p.m. and it was burning on top of South Mountain near communication towers.
This is developing news, and will be updated when information becomes available.
