Fire crews battling 19,904-acre Mountain Fire since Wednesday; Evacuation warnings in effect
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters are still battling a 19,904-acre brush fire, currently at 98% containment, that started on South Mountain near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Multiple evacuation orders and warnings were issued for the fire response but all evacuation warnings have been lifted as of Sunday, Nov. 17 at 3:00 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information about any major emergency response in Ventura County, including evacuation orders and warnings when they are issued, visit VC Emergency.
A Local Assistance Center was set up at the Ventura County Office of Education at 5100 Adolfo Road in Camarillo that will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The image below, from the Ventura County Sheriff Emergency Services-Incident Dashboard, shows the evacuation warnings in effect (the orange areas) as well as the location of temporary evacuation points (the circles with "TEP"). The green areas are where evacuation warnings have now been lifted and the red outline is the extent of the fire's perimeter.
A temporary evacuation point was established at Padre Serra Parish at 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo shared the Ventura County Incidents webpage.
ROAD CLOSURES:
The following roads are open to residents only:
- Valley Vista Dr/Vista Del Mar
- Valley Vista Dr/Marine View Dr
- Valley Vista Dr/Fairway Dr
- Valley Vista Dr/Deseo Ave
- West Highland Dr/Mission Dr
- Highland Terrace/Mission Dr
- Santa Cruz Way/Mission Dr
- Marissa Lane/Mission Dr
- San Clemente Way/Mission Dr
- East Highland Dr/North Loop Dr
REENTRY PROCEDURE:
Even after evacuation orders and warnings are lifted, hazardous materials and conditions may exist as you return home.
For the hardest-hit neighborhood of Camarillo Heights, residents are allowed to access the area between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 through Tuesday, Nov. 12 and there are four check-in/supply locations in the area:
- Mission Drive and West Highland Drive/Highland Terrace
- Mission Drive between Santa Cruz Way and San Clemente Way
- Valley Vista Drive and Vista Del Mar
- Valley Vista Drive and Cerro Crest Drive
Additional information on community resources as part of the rebuilding process can be found here.
WATER ALERT:
Pleasant Valley Mutual Water Company, California American Water, Crestview Mutual Water Company and the County of Ventura's Water and Sanitation District 19 (Somis) all issued an unsafe water alert for their customers as the fire has damaged some of the water infrastructure used to supply area homes and businesses, but all unsafe water alerts have now been lifted.
Customers were advised that their supplied water is not safe to drink or boil and all the companies are now required to meet safety requirements from the State Water Resources Control Board to lift the alert.
For more information about water districts in the area, visit here.
SCHOOL CLOSURES:
For the latest on school closures, visit the Ventura County Office of Education website.
Evacuation Updates on #MountainFire pic.twitter.com/I60m5NApmY
— Ventura County Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) November 6, 2024
According to the Ventura County Fire Department, multiple people were injured due to smoke inhalation and numerous structures were directly threatened by flames during the response.
Strong winds complicated the fire response and fixed-wing aircraft were unable to assist at times during the incident added the Ventura County Fire Department.
#MountainFire UPDATE:
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) November 6, 2024
The fire has crossed Highway 118 and is now impacting the Camarillo Heights area. Evacuation orders are in effect, and we urge residents to follow these orders for their safety. Several individuals have been injured and transported to local hospitals.… pic.twitter.com/rWpKIdDfpe
Ventura County created a hotline for those with questions at 805-465-6650 and a small animal evacuation center at the Ventura County Animal Services at the Camarillo Airport at 600 Aviation Drive.
A large animal evacuation center was set up at the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 E. Harbor Boulevard but reached capacity and large animals were then directed to the Earl Warren Showgrounds at 3400 Calle Real in Santa Barbara.
The image below, courtesy of the ALERTCalifornia camera system, shows the extensive smoke impact from the fire and the notable role wind played in complicating the response and spreading associated smoke in the surrounding areas at the start of the fire.
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District shares the recommendations below during these conditions:
- Stay inside as much as possible and close windows and doors that go outside to prevent dust from entering
- Operate home and car air conditioners in recycle or recirculation mode. Close the air intake and change dirty filters
- If you have to go outside, avoid strenuous activity and consider wearing a fitted N95 mask or respirator
- If you have a cough, fever, night sweats, or painful breathing that lasts for two weeks or more, contact your doctor and ask about Valley Fever
For daily air quality reports in the Ventura County area, visit here.
The National Weather Service forecasted strong Santa Ana winds through Friday, Nov. 8 and a red flag warning was in effect for all of Ventura County and southern portions of Santa Barbara until Thursday, Nov. 7.
This is an evolving emergency fire response and more information will be added to this article as it becomes available.
