South Fire

Incident Summary

A wildfire ignited from an unknown source on December 9, 2023, around 0938 hours PT on South Mountain Loop Road and Solano Verde Drive, just south of Santa Paula, California. Photo Credit: VCFD_PIO

Staffing

The lead agency is the Ventura County Fire Department managing this fire with the aid of 11 hand crews, 40 engines, five dozers, and over 600 fire personnel working tirelessly on the fire line.

Units include:

  • A1 AIRTANKER1, 2 AT01
  • B1 B11 B12 B1 B16 B2 B20 B22 B23 B26 B27 B29 B30 B32 B65 B68 B81 B82
  • C11 C12 C13 C14 CALFIRE1, 2, 3, 4 CAM2 CAM4 CMD11 COULSONCPT76 CP4 CPT5
  • DIV11 DOZ12 DOZ13 DOZ14 DOZER DUTYPIO
  • E181 E20 E26 E322 E330 E333 E342 E35 E351 E355 E356 E357 E41 E51 E55 E57 E66 E72 E81, E85
  • HT40
  • I011 I012 IV13 IV14
  • LOGS MAP11 ME1 ME121 ME28 ME3 ME321 ME328 ME343 ME4 ME40 ME5 ME52 ME54

Incident Cooperators

Ventura County Sheriff, Ventura County Office of Emergency Services, the Ventura County Fire Department, the Ventura County FD PIO, the County of Ventura Government, Santa Barbara County FD, Ventura County Air Pollution Control, plus outside mutual aid resources.

EVACUATION ORDERS ARE IN EFFECT: area North of La Loma from Price to Los Angeles Avenue due to threats to structures and critical oil infrastructure. (VCEMA https://www.vcemergency.com/)

EVACUATION WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT: Saticoy Country Club Area. North: Santa Clara River. South and West: West Los Angeles Avenue. East: La Vista Avenue. (VCEMA https://www.cvemergency.com/)

SHELTERS: Ventura Community College, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003.

Fire Operations

Size Up

The fire has burned 2,944 acres and has a 15% containment status. It is currently being held within the footprint of the MARIA FIRE. Due to firefighters’ hard work, there has been minimal fire growth. They will continue putting out hot spots throughout today. Containment lines around the fire’s perimeter are to be built, as well.

Southern Flank

Late last night (after 2300 hours), copters worked the southern flank in the hills above the Saticoy Country Club as engines provided structure protection. This area was upgraded to evacuation orders.

Fire Timeline

December 10, 2023

1010 hours PT: Red Cross volunteers are on standby for the Shelter located at the Ventura Community College.

Photo Credit: (left) VCFD_PIO

Need support? Call 1-800-REDCROSS.

The Red Cross also recommends that survivors and evacuees take care of themselves and their health with these tips: (below). Photo Credit: American Red Cross

0828 hours PT: Fire has burned 2,944 acres and has a 15% containment status. 11 hand crews, 40 engines and five dozers, over 600 firefighters are on the fire line. Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect.

0807 hours PT: Evacuation orders are lifted for an area in Somis and Mission Rock Road in Santa Paula. Warnings remain in effect for the Saticoy Country Club area.

0718 hours PT: The Los Angeles Fire Department deploys a strike team consisting of five fire engines and a battalion chief.

0652 hours PT: Fire personnel worked throughout the night. As of this morning, there are a total of 600 firefighters on the scene. The fire is staying within the footprint of the Maria fire. Evacuation warnings and orders are in effect.

December 9, 2023

2307 hours PT: Copters are working the southwestern flan in the hills above the Saticoy Country Club as engines provide structure protection.

2123 hours PT: A VCFD Dozer 14 was forced to cut a fire line on the southwest flank of the fire in an attempt to stop the spread. Crews will continue to work throughout the night.

2035 hours PT: Evacuation warning is upgraded to an evacuation order for the Saticoy Country area.

1818 hours PT: Fire has burned 2,444 acres and still remains at a 0% containment status. Night operations are in effect with engines, hand crews, dozers, and copters using night vision tools and will continue operations throughout the night.

1620 hours PT: Fire has moved to the north side of South Mountain prompting new evacuation warning for the Mission Rock Road area off of Hwy 126 at Briggs.

1506 hours PT: Fire has burned 800 acres, and still no new evacuation order issued. Multiple mutual aid agencies send members to the fire. Some are from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, San Luis Obispo, and many more.

1359 hours PT: Fire is now listed at 742 acres with a 0% containment status. No new evacuation orders have been issued. Crews continue with structure protection within the fire area.

1301 hours PT: Fire has burned 311 acres. There are approximately 111 firefighters assigned and on the fire line, along with 10 aircraft including fixed-wing and copters which are making drops over the fire. Additional resources have been requested.

029 PT: Crews attack the fire from both the air and ground. Evacuations are ordered for the area north of La Loma from Price to Los Angeles Avenue. 56 pieces of equipment and 75 fire personnel are en route. (Above and below photos) Photo Credit: VCFD_PIO

1006 hours PT: Units responding to a brush fire on South Mountain. Preliminary reports of a fire about three to four acres burning downhill. It’s on the south side of the South Mountain. Air tankers and helicopters are en route. Gusty east winds are impacting the area. (below). Photo Credit: VCFD_PIO

Infrastructure

Power: About 2,400 Southern California Edison – PSPS are without power. This is current in the Academy, Anton, Balcom, and Energy Circuit locations deemed to be hazardous. Three others may be shut off in the next 24 hours. Source: VCSO Emergency Services https://vcoes.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e15ca0d2737d43cea6514043e61f1a7c

Evacuations: About 6,700 people have evacuated.

Evacuation Terminology: https://www.vcemergency.com/evacuation-terminology

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog – Published 12/10/2023 1300 hours