Southern California wildfire driven by Santa Ana winds burns over 19,000 acres
The ongoing Santa Ana event has come as advertised, bringing extreme fire conditions to parts of southern California.
LOS ANGELES – Powerful Santa Ana winds near Los Angeles are fueling some of the most significant wildfire threats in years across Southern California.
The relentless 50-70 mph wind gusts have created a perfect storm of conditions, leading to rapid fire spread and widespread evacuations.
Smoke spread across Ventura County, California, on Wednesday as emergency crews battled the Mountain Fire. Time-lapse footage here shows smoke billowing from the expanding fire.
These conditions led to the explosion of the destructive Mountain Fire in Ventura County on Wednesday. The fire had burned 19,643 acres as of Thursday morning, according to CAL FIRE. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for parts of Ventura, Camarillo, Moorpark and Somis, California.
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A home burns from the Mountain Fire on November 6, 2024 in Camarillo, California.
(David McNew/Getty Images) -
Flames engulf a structure during a fast-moving wildfire on November 6, 2024 in Moorpark, California.
(Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images) -
A home burns during the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, California, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
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A Los Angeles County firefighter battles flames as a home burns from the Mountain Fire on November 6, 2024 in Camarillo, California.
(David McNew/Getty Images) -
A helicopter drops fire retardant as a home burns from the Mountain Fire on November 6, 2024 in Camarillo, California.
(David McNew/Getty Images) -
A firefighter walks past a home burning from the Mountain Fire on November 6, 2024 in Camarillo, California.
(David McNew/Getty Images) -
Embers fly near a burned home on Vista del Mar in a Santa Ana wind-driven fire on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 in Camarillo, CA.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Officials say the Mountain Fire that erupted Wednesday morning in Ventura County has still not been contained and has injured several people. At least 800 firefighters are on the scene, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Footage released by the agency shows firefighting efforts in Camarillo Heights.
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Firefighters in Ventura County, California, were working through the night into Thursday, local officials said, as the Mountain Fire burned more than 14,000 acres on Wednesday, damaging several structures. Footage released by the local fire department shows firefighting efforts in Camarillo Heights.
The fire had damaged several homes according to reports, but no deaths were reported.
Amidst the chaos of the wind-driven Mountain Fire, a Camarillo, California, homeowner records the destruction as smoke and flames devour the neighborhood.
Videos from Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell show the thick smoke in Camarillo. In another video, firefighters can be seen trying to control the blaze.
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Firefighters continued their relentless fight against the flames overnight, employing a combination of ground crews and night-flying helicopters. Hundreds of mutual aid crews throughout California continue to arrive on the scene, as the fast-moving fire has impacted numerous structures.
Damage estimates are expected to begin on Thursday. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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Video from Camarillo, California shows smoke from the Mountain Fire on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
Another dangerous fire, the Broad Fire, is burning in the Malibu area, threatening homes and businesses.
The FOX Forecast Center said the Santa Ana winds peaked Wednesday morning, but periods of strong and gusty northeasterly to easterly winds will continue Thursday. While Thursday’s conditions won’t be quite as extreme, they will remain highly conducive to fire spread.
The Mountain Fire is actively spreading due to strong winds. Airplanes are unable to aid in the firefight due to wind conditions, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
The strongest gusts of 50-60 mph will be along and below the coastal slopes of the mountains, including around the Mountain Fire. The lowest daytime humidity will also be found near the fire and across Ventura and Los Angeles counties, where the National Weather Service issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Fire Weather Warning.
The wildfires have also forced school closures and power outages. The smoke from the fires has also significantly impacted air quality, prompting health alerts for residents.
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