Firefighters faced significant challenges on Thursday as they battled a rapidly spreading wildfire in the rugged hills northwest of Los Angeles, exacerbated by strong winds. The fire, named the Mountain fire, has led to the destruction of numerous homes and the evacuation of over 10,000 residents, prompting California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency.
The blaze ignited in Ventura County on Wednesday morning, expanding to over 20,000 acres by Thursday evening. Fire officials reported that more than 130 structures have been destroyed and nearly 90 others damaged, with containment efforts only achieving 5 percent success.
Firefighting teams, including ground crews and helicopters, concentrated their efforts near the communities of Santa Paula and Somis, with approximately 800 firefighters on the scene and more reinforcements anticipated. Many local schools were closed, and officials advised residents to avoid the area.
Capt. Trevor Johnson of the Ventura County Fire Department described the challenging terrain, stating, “The fire there is in a tricky place — it’s rugged, steep ground that only our finest firefighters can even access.”
Dozens of evacuees found refuge at Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo, a town located about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Among them were Linda Fefferman and her husband, Dennis Gottlieb, who narrowly escaped their home as a tree fell and blocked their exit. They lost their pet birds and important personal belongings, and they currently lack renter’s insurance.
Along West Highland Drive, the couple’s neighborhood displayed a mix of devastation and survival, with some homes reduced to ashes while others remained untouched. Smoke and ash filled the air as firefighters worked to control remaining hot spots.
Fire crews received a slight break in conditions as wind gusts decreased from 80 miles per hour to around 35 miles per hour, with further improvements anticipated by Friday, according to meteorologist Rich Thompson from the National Weather Service.
The affected region, characterized by rural communities with nurseries and horse ranches, is no stranger to wildfires, but residents expressed shock at the fire's rapid advancement. Governor Newsom visited the area and emphasized the ongoing destruction of vital infrastructure, reaffirming the state of emergency to expedite resource allocation for local officials.
Ten individuals have been reported injured, primarily due to smoke inhalation, as the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Residents, like Ethan Bates, who returned from a golf outing to find his neighborhood altered by the fire, described the scene as chaotic and alarming.
As the situation develops, officials continue to monitor the fire's progress and provide support to affected residents.