Evacuation lifted after crews battle 2,400+ acre brush fire in Ventura County
Evacuation were lifted after a massive brushfire broke out in Ventura County.
The blaze, which is dubbed the South Fire, had torched more than 2,400 acres as of Saturday evening, according to Ventura County Fire Department. The fire is 0% contained.
Heavy winds in the area were fueling the forward progress of the flames, prompting evacuation orders for much of the surrounding area.
"Right now it's light, flashy fuels," said VCFD Captain Steve Kaufmann on Saturday afternoon. "Most of it is the regrowth that we've had from the Maria fire a few years back. It's still erratic conditions, the firefighters are seeing hot flames and the fire kinda goes anywhere it wants to."
As of 11 p.m., evacuation orders are in place for those living on the south side foothills of South Mountain:
- South Mountain area north of East La Loma Avenue & West La Loma Avenue, south of East Los Angeles Avenue, east of Aggen Road and west of La Vista Avenue,
- Saticoy Country Club area north of the Santa Clara River, south and west of W. Los Angeles Avenue and east of La Vista Avenue.
Evacuation warnings were also in place for the area near S. Mission Rock Road north of Highway 118, south of the Santa Clara River and east of S. Briggs Road.
A number of roads have also been closed, including:
- from W. Los Angeles Avenue northward to W. La Loma Avenue,
- La Vista Avenue,
- Walnut Avenue,
- Price Road,
- Aggen Road, and
- W. La Loma Avenue east from La Vista Road
Evacuation orders can be seen on the Ventura County Emergency website.
A temporary evacuation center has been established at Ventura College, located at 4667 Telegraph Road in Ventura.
"Fire crews continue working to protect structures and infrastructure within the fire area," VCFD posted to X.
Around 10:40 a.m., the department said air tankers and helicopters were on their way, and by noon 100 crew members were battling the fire.
