Thanks to a decrease in winds overnight, firefighters battling the Mountain fire in Camarillo saw minimal growth while achieving 7% containment of the blaze by Friday morning, Nov. 8, authorities said.
More than 11,000 structures remained threatened by the fire, which now has rolled through more than 20,500 acres.
“The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain, with dry and receptive fuels, which have challenged containment efforts,” officials said in a morning statement, adding that the fire was suppressed by decreased winds. “The fire remains a threat to critical infrastructure. Islands of unburned fuel will continue to burn within the fire footprint.”
Officials have assigned 2,420 firefighters, 14 helicopters, 378 fire engines and 20 bulldozers to battle the blaze.
Nearly 130 structures have been destroyed — most of them homes — and 88 others have been damaged by the fire, which was first reported Wednesday near Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads in nearby Somis, authorities said. Santa Ana winds helped it quickly explode.
Officials scheduled a press conference to provide an update on the Mountain fire for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, that the Southern California News Group will cover.
Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff has said 10 injuries have been reported during the fire, all of them minor and most because of smoke inhalation.
Gov. Gavin Newsom visited Camarillo Thursday and declared a state of emergency, allowing federal assistance in fighting the fire. Evacuations orders were added for Santa Paula Thursday morning.
Containment, which was at zero percent Thursday night, Nov. 7, is the percentage of the fire’s perimeter that officials believe won’t expand because of firefighters’ work or barriers such as a water body or rocks.
Residents can get updated evacuation information by visiting VCEmergency.com.
An evacuation center is set up at Padre Serra Parrish, 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo. Large animals can be taken to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, at 10 E. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, while small ones can go to Ventura County Animal Services at the Camarillo Airport, at 600 Aviation Drive in Camarillo.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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