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California wildfire grows to 14,148 acres, burning homes and causing injuries, evacuations

Online Niel November 7, 2024

Strong winds helped push a fire in Ventura County that quickly grew to 14,148 acres by Wednesday evening, Nov. 6 — causing injuries, prompting evacuations and burning dozens of homes.

Two residents were taken to hospitals to be checked for smoke inhalation, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said. Dozens of homes burned, the Associated Press reported.

Damage inspection crews will likely continue to quantify the damage Thursday, the Ventura County Fire Department said. Officials said 3,500 structures were threatened in the area as more than 10,000 people were evacuated, the AP reported.

Gov. Gavin Newsom requested federal assistance for the area east of Ventura as the fire continued to burn without containment as of early Wednesday.

As crews from fire departments across the region work to extinguish the blaze, Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said the blaze was spotted more than two and a half miles ahead and was being propelled by winds above 50 mph in gusts. over 80 mph.

“I’m burning the bushes. The grass is burning. The hedgerows are burning. Farm fields are burning and structures are burning,” Gardner said. “This fire is moving dangerously fast.”

“When you get an evacuation order from the sheriff, leave,” Gardner continued. “This is not one of these fires where you can wait and predict and maybe stay home. Your houses can be replaced, your lives cannot.”

Although fire officials could not provide a total number of firefighter injuries, Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Shea said no significant injuries were reported. Several ambulances have been deployed for the safety of the public and firefighters.

Firefighters responded to the fire on South Mountain near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads, north of Highway 118 and southeast of Santa Paula, the Fire Department said at 9:23 a.m.

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CAMARILLO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 6: A firefighting helicopter flies nearby as a house burns from the wildfire on November 6, 2024 in Camarillo, California. Driven by strong winds, the fire has burned more than 10,000 acres since it started this morning. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***

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140 firefighters were on the scene early, along with 58 fire engines and trucks. Helicopters were requested to assist.

Around 11 a.m., the fire jumped the 118 Freeway, forcing evacuations in the Camarillo Heights area. There were various road closures.

Aerial footage from local television networks showed dozens of burning homes in several neighborhoods as embers whipped from house to house. Other images captured horses trotting alongside vehicles evacuating.

Jade Katz, who said she is disabled and does not drive, waited for a friend to pick her up near her Camarillo Heights home with a suitcase full of medicine and Bella, her Great Dane service dog. But the friend couldn’t reach her, so first responders sent a squad car to escort her Wednesday afternoon while a helicopter dropped water on the house across the street from hers.

“Coming out of the neighborhood, there were five or eight houses that had already burned to the ground,” said Katz, 35, who was sitting in a car with colleague Shannon Kelly, 28. He plans to spend the night with a friend in Los Angeles.

Santa Ana winds that battered Ventura County made the fire more difficult to extinguish.

“Due to extreme wind conditions, fixed-wing aircraft are unable to assist in firefighting efforts,” the department said on X. “Ground crews, helicopters and mutual aid resources are actively working to protect lives and properties”.

By Thursday, wind gusts are expected to be between 30-55 mph. In mountainous areas, gusts of up to 100 mph are possible, according to authorities.

Due to fire threats, 46 Southern California Edison electrical circuits are being watched for possible power outages. SCE opened community resource centers for those affected by the power outages in Moorpark, Simi Valley and Ventura.

“Should conditions in any area exceed Southern California Edison’s safety thresholds, electricity may be temporarily turned off to minimize the risk of a wildfire starting,” the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said.

More information about road closures and evacuation zones can be found at vcemergency.com

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The Associated Press and reporter Ryanne Mena contributed to this report.

Originally published: November 7, 2024 at 5:20 AM PST

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