MOUNTAIN FIRE

Photo Credit: Ventura County FD

Published Thursday, November 7, 2024, 2000 hours PT

Incident Summary: The MOUNTAIN FIRE started on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 0851 hours PT and was reported to have originated in the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon and Bradley Roads in Somis (Ventura County), about five miles from Santa Paula, California. After it started, high winds picked up the fire and created wind-driven runs into the Camarillo Heights and the Camarillo Estates communities.

Damage Assessment: An unknown number of homes and structures have been reported as being destroyed.

Unified Command / IMT: The Admin Unit is in a Unified Command consisting of the CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo and the Ventura County Fire Department, with the CAL FIRE IMT 5 managing this incident.

Cause: The cause is unknown and under investigation.

Size Up: About 20,596 acres of brush, chaparral and grass have been burned and resources have been able to gain a 5% containment status as of today’s update. Extreme fire behavior observed with long-range spotting, wind-driven runs and uphill runs.

Incident Cooperators: Ventura County FD, CAL FIRE, Ventura County SO, Ventura County PIO, Ventura County EMA and others.

Resources: 800+ firefighters from multiple fire agencies.

Emergency Alerts: A Local Emergency Proclamation was issued by Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fyhoff on November 6th and requested California Governor Gavin Newsom to proclaim a State of Emergency for the areas impacted.

CTD: No estimates known at this time.

Injuries: None reported.

Evacuations are in effect: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/11/6/mountain-fire

Padre Serra Parish (People): 5205 Upland Road, Camarillo, CA 93012

Large Animal Evacuation Center: An evacuation center has been established for large animals at the Ventura County Fairgrounds:

Ventura County Fairgrounds: 10 E. Harbor Boulevard, Ventura, CA 93001

Small Animal Evacuation Center: An evacuation center for small animals has been established at Ventura County Animal Services (Camarillo Airport):

Ventura County Animal Services (Camarillo Airport): 600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, 93010

Info Hotline for Residents: Call 805-465-6650.

Ventura County Resources: https://www.vcemergency.com/

Incident Timeline

November 5, 2024 (Tuesday)

1753 PT: The County of Ventura is under a RED FLAG WARNING starting on Wednesday morning and is currently predicted to last until Thursday evening.

November 6, 2024 (Wednesday)

Photo Credit: VCFD PIO

Photo taken on November 6 of the chaos unfolding.

0923 PT: The MOUNTAIN FIRE starts. Firefighters are dispatched to a 2-alarm brush fire on South Mountain, near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. Strong winds are impacting the area and presenting challenging conditions for responding to fire resources and equipment. 140 firefighters are assigned to the incident

1056 PT: Extreme wind conditions are observed making it impossible for fixed-wing aircraft are unable to fly. Ground crews, helicopters, and mutual aid resources battle the fire. Public Safety Power Shutoff Alerts are given for the Academy and Angus circuits.

1105 PT: Fire spreads too quickly to snap images so the Fire Department puts up live streaming so the massive fire burning everything in its path including structures. It burns near beautiful Malibu and the images saddens us.

1215 PT: Social media users posting images. One shows a view from Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Ventura County where gorgeous blue ocean waves crash against the rocky jetty and a large plume of smoke high in the sky across the horizon.

1400 PT: Fire ground reporter / Chaser: “The amount of destruction going on is really bad. As you can see wind is extremely strong still and resources are going to have a very long night ahead of them on [Crestview Avenue]”

1552 PT: Impacing the Camarillo Heights area, and is estimated to be 8,800 acres in size. The VCFD PIO releases info stating numerous structures have been impacted by this fast-moving and damaging fire. Firefighters continue to engage with full suppression objectives. The area establishes a temp evacuation shelter at the Padre Sierra Parish in the 5200 block of Camarillo.

1655 PT: Fire size increases, burns up to 10,480 acres, and remains at a 0% containment status. A press conference is held and gives an update on fire conditions.

2230 PT: Fire remains at 14,187 acres with a 0% containment status. 800 firefighters are assigned to this incident. Fire suppression activities continue during night fire ops with ground resources and helicopters flying from above. More mutual aid resources arrive from all over the State of California.

November 7, 2024 (Thursday)

Photo Credit: VCFD PIO

0831 PT: Fire increases slightly from overnight operations to 14,500 with a sustained 0% containment status. The fire in the morning update has been observed as active even though fire resources are giving it everything they have through heavy firefighting activities. Evacuations remain in place.

1633 PT: Fire increases to 19,643 acres with the same 0% containment status. Mutual aid resources from all over California continue to arrive on the fireground.

#MountainFire #CAwildfires2024

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog – Published 11/7/2024 2008 PT

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