Strong winds helped push along a wildfire in Ventura County that quickly grew to 14,148 acres by Wednesday evening, Nov. 6 — causing injuries, prompting evacuations and burning dozens of homes.
Two residents were transported to hospitals to be checked for smoke inhalation, said Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff. Dozens of homes burned, The Associated Press reported.
Damage inspection teams will likely further quantify the damage Thursday, the Ventura County Fire Department said. Officials said 3,500 structures were threatened in the area as more than 10,000 people were evacuated, The AP reported.
• Also see: This map shows the location of the Mountain fire burning in Ventura County
Gov. Gavin Newsom requested federal assistance for the area east of Ventura as the fire continued to burn, with no containment as of early Wednesday evening.
As crews from fire departments across the region work to contain the fire, Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said the blaze was spotting more than two-and-a-half miles ahead of itself and being propelled by winds of more than 50 mph with gusts over 80 mph.
“Bushes are burning. Grass is burning. Hedge rows are burning. Agriculture fields are burning and structures are burning,” Gardner said. “This fire is moving dangerously fast.”
“When you get an evac order from the sheriff, leave,” Gardner continued. “These aren’t one of these fires where you can wait and predict and maybe stay home. Your homes can be replaced, your lives can’t.”
While fire officials couldn’t provide a total number of firefighter injuries, Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Shea said no significant injuries have been reported. Multiple ambulances were in place for public and firefighter safety.
Firefighters responded to the blaze on South Mountain near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads, north of the 118 Freeway and southeast of Santa Paula, the Fire Department said, at 9:23 a.m.
Early on, 140 firefighters were at the scene along with 58 fire engines and trucks. Helicopters were requested to assist.
Around 11 a.m., the fire jumped the 118 Freeway, forcing evacuations in the Camarillo Heights area. There were various road closures.
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Aerial footage from local television networks showed dozens of homes in flames across several neighborhoods as embers were whipped from home to home. Other footage captured horses trotting alongside evacuating vehicles.
Jade Katz, who said she is disabled and does not drive, waited for a friend to pick her up near her Camarillo Heights home with a suitcase full of medication and Bella, her Great Dane service dog. But the friend couldn’t reach her, so first responders sent a squad car to escort her out Wednesday afternoon as a helicopter dropped water on the house across from her home.
“On the way out of the neighborhood, there were five or eight houses that had already burnt to the ground,” said Katz, 35, who was sitting in a car with housemate Shannon Kelly, 28. They plan to spend the night with a friend in Los Angeles.
Santa Ana winds impacting Ventura County have made the fire more difficult to extinguish.
“Due to extreme wind conditions, fixed-wing aircraft are unable to assist in firefighting efforts,” the department said on X. “Ground crews, helicopters and mutual-aid resources are actively working to protect lives and property.”
Into Thursday, wind gusts are expected to be between 30-55 mph. In the mountain areas, gusts as high as 100 mph are possible, according to authorities.
Due to the wildfire threats, 46 Southern California Edison electrical circuits are being watched for possible power shutoffs. SCE has opened community resource centers for those affected by power shutoffs in Moorpark, Simi Valley and Ventura.
“Should conditions in any area exceed Southern California Edison’s safety thresholds, electricity may be temporarily shut off to minimize the risk of ignition of a wildfire,” the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said.
More information on road closures and evacuation zones can be found at vcemergency.com
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
The Associated Press and staff reporter Ryanne Mena contributed to this report.