Firefighters make headway on devastating Mountain Fire in Ventura County

Firefighters have gained an upper hand on the massive Mountain Fire in Southern California's Ventura County, which has burned over 20,000 acres, destroyed over 130 homes, and damaged 46 others. 

On Monday, the fire was 36 percent contained, with some of the evacuation orders being lifted thanks in part to favorable weather conditions and lower temperatures, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire). It has scorched 20,630 acres.

Cal-Fire said decreasing winds continued to assist crews with their aggressive fire attack, though threats remain to critical infrastructure, highways and communities, as the fire continues to burn. 

The fire broke out Wednesday morning near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road on South Mountain in the Moorpark area, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. Within an hour, it grew from 25 to 1,000 acres. 

More than 10,000 people were forced to evacuate from their homes as the wildfire threatened 3,500 homes, businesses and other structures, according to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who announced federal funding to aid the firefight. Several people, including one firefighter and five civilians, have been injured and over 134 homes have been destroyed with 46 others damaged. 

The Federal Emergency Agency has released funds to help pay for firefighting resources, with hundreds of firefighters focused on life-saving efforts as the wildfire tore through neighborhoods in Camarillo, Moorpark and Somis. 

• Map and list of evacuation orders
• Road Closures
• Red Flag warnings
• Residents flee
• School closures
• Community meeting

Firefighters said several people sustained injuries requiring hospitalizations. None of the victims' conditions were immediately known. 

Evacuation orders and warnings

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation warnings and orders for many residents in Camarillo, Somis and residents near the Santa Clara River. Several remain in effect and a real-time map of evacuation orders can be found here. For a list, click here. 

Authorities established an evacuation center at Padre Serra Parish, located at 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo. Homeowners with large pets were advised to drop their animals off at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, located at 10 E. Harbor Boulevard. Small pets can be brought to the Ventura County Animal Services center at the Camarillo Airport, located at 600 Aviation Drive.

Road closures

The following roads remain closed: 

• Crestview Northbound at Bella Vista; 
• Las Posas Northbound  at Lewis; 
• Aprisa Northbound at Ponderosa; 
• Waters Road from Stockton; 
• Santa Clara Eastbound from the 118; 
• Balcom Westbound from the 118; 
• 12th Street Southbound from the 126; 
• East Road from Posita Road to Stockton Road; 
• Posita Road from Balcom Canyon Road to East Road; 
• Shekell Road from Broadway Road o CA-23; 
• Central Avenue from Rose Avenue to Santa Clara Avenue; 
• Valley Vista Drive from Fairway Drive to Crestview Drive; 
• Fairway Drive from Fairway Court to Valley Vista Drive; 
• Center School Road from CA-118 to Fairway Drive; 
• Clubhouse Drive from Los Angeles Avenue to Northridge Drive; 
• La Cumbre Road from CA-118 to Donlon Road; 
• Donlon Road from CA-118 to Bradley Road; 
• Stockton Road from Balcom Canyon Road to Grimes Canyon Road; 
• La Vista Avenue from CA-118 to W. La Loma Avenue; 
• Price Road from CA-118 to E. La Loma Avenue; 
• Aggen Road from CA-118 to La Loma Road; 
• Berylwood Road from Bradley Road to Aggen Road; and 
• Bradley Road from Old Balcom Canyon Road to Berylwood Road.

School closures 

Some schools will remain closed this week, including all locations in the Mesa Union School District, the Peak Prep Pleasant Valley Learning Center and the Pleasant Valley School District. But other schools within the county will reopen Tuesday. 

Residents react

With the dynamic situation, quickly decimating hundreds of acres of vegetation in just hours, residents were forced to jump into action to evacuate their homes. 

"We've never seen anything like this before. Never thought anything like this would happen to us," said Ken Levin, who lives in a home adjacent to the Spanish Hills area. "But fire department is out there, they're bulldozing fire breaks on the back of our property and the wind is going south. So, we feel good about where we are. ... I think we're gonna be okay. Thank God for our firefighters that are here to help us when we need it."

Levin, whose wife had already evacuated by the time he spoke with KCAL News' Jeff Nguyen, was on his way out when he saw the flames start to rip over the hillside. 

"Oh my God, my house is in danger," he said, motioning towards his home "I'm alive. My wife is alive. We have everything we need, this can be replaced."

He said that in all the years that he's lived in the area he's "never experienced wind like this."

Jarring video from the scene showed the moments that Ventura County Sheriff's Department deputies rushed into what looked to be an elderly living facility, ushering several wheelchair-bound residents to safety with massive clouds of smoke in the surrounding area. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.