Mountain Fire in Southern California scorches more than 10,000 acres, injures several people
The National Weather Service's Los Angeles office in Oxnard, California, announced Wednesday afternoon it would be evacuated until further notice due to smoke from the Mountain Fire. The San Diego NWS office was providing full backup operations until it was safe for the Los Angeles employees to return to their office.
Santa Ana wind event ongoing across Southern California
Capt. Tony McHale with the Ventura County Fire Department spoke about California wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds. Nov. 6, 2024.
LOS ANGELES – A wildfire in Southern California has scorched more than 10,000 acres Wednesday amid an extreme fire weather threat driven by strong Santa Ana winds.
The Mountain Fire erupted Wednesday morning in Ventura County and has injured several people, officials say. The blaze has burned nearly 10,500 acres in a matter of hours.
"Bushes are burning, grass is burning, hedgerows are burning, agricultural fields are burning and structures are burning," said Dustin Gardner, fire chief with the Ventura County Fire Department. "This fire is moving dangerously fast."
Dark smoke can be seen from the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, California on Nov. 6, 2024.
(Richard Lopez / FOX Weather)
The Mountain Fire is 0% contained. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for parts of Ventura, Camarillo, Moorpark and Somis, California.
WHAT DO LEVEL 1, 2, AND 3 EVACUATIONS MEAN DURING WILDFIRES?
The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles issued a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Fire Weather Warning for portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Thursday morning, noting damaging wind gusts of 50-80 mph in the forecast.
Fighting the wildfire amid Santa Ana winds
![A firefighter attempts to control the blaze burning a house as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024.]()
Image 1 of 7A firefighter attempts to control the blaze burning a house as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)
![A house is engulfed in flames as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024.]()
Image 2 of 7A house is engulfed in flames as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)
![A firefighter pulls a hose in front of a burnt house as the Mountain Fire scorches acres in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024.]()
Image 3 of 7A firefighter pulls a hose in front of a burnt house as the Mountain Fire scorches acres in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)
![A house is engulfed in the flames of the Mountain Fire as the wildfire scorches acres in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024.]()
Image 4 of 7A house is engulfed in the flames of the Mountain Fire as the wildfire scorches acres in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)
![A firefighter attempts to control the blaze burning a structure as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024.]()
Image 5 of 7A firefighter attempts to control the blaze burning a structure as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)
![A firefighting helicopter makes drop over the Mountain Fire in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024.]()
Image 6 of 7A firefighting helicopter makes drop over the Mountain Fire in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)
![Residents watch a firefighting helicopter flying over the burning hills as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024.]()
Image 7 of 7Residents watch a firefighting helicopter flying over the burning hills as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)
At least 140 firefighters are on the scene of the Mountain Fire. According to the Ventura County Fire Department, wind conditions are preventing airplanes from aiding in the firefight. The agency said ground crews, helicopters and mutual aid resources are the primary methods being used to battle the blaze.
"We've called every available resource to the incident," said Trevor Johnson, captain with the Ventura County Fire Department and current operations section chief on the Mountain Fire, Ventura County Fire Department resources and other partners in the operational area.
Mountain Fire burns in Ventura County, prompting evacuations
Firefighters are working to contain the rapidly spreading Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California, amid a 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' from Santa Ana winds.
"We're working with our partners to bring quick resolve to this incident," Johnson added. "But this is a tough firefight by no means. We have the best people out there doing a great job right now, utilizing all the technology and stuff we have at our fingertips."
SURVIVAL EXPERT OFFERS TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM WILDFIRES
The National Weather Service's Los Angeles office in Oxnard, California, announced Wednesday afternoon it would be evacuated until further notice due to smoke from the Mountain Fire. The San Diego NWS office was providing full backup operations until it was safe for the Los Angeles employees to return to their office.
(FOX Weather)
Another fire erupted Wednesday morning in Los Angeles County. Named the Broad Fire, it has burned at least 50 acres southwest of South Malibu Canyon Road and the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, according to CAL Fire. The Broad Fire is 15% contained, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said two structures were caught in the fire, and no injuries have been reported.
High winds prompt school closures, power shutoff
The NWS added that isolated gusts of 80-100 mph are possible in the San Gabriel Mountains, which are located north of Los Angeles.
Due to the intense winds, schools in the San Diego area were closed Wednesday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff.
(FOX Weather)
Powerful Santa Ana winds, along with extremely low humidity and dry vegetation, are creating a situation in which trees and power lines could fall and produce the ignition for fast-spreading wildfires.
The Santa Ana winds, which are winds that generally blow from the Santa Ana Mountains southeast of Los Angeles toward the coast, affect Southern California every year.
A woman's hair is blown as Santa Ana winds return to Los Angeles. Oct. 18, 2024.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times / Getty Images)
However, the NWS noted that this week, the Santa Ana winds are expected to be "stronger, more widespread and longer duration."
Residents should expect a high risk of power outages and public safety power shutoffs during this Santa Ana wind event, according to the NWS.
Firefighters work to contain Mountain Fire in Ventura County, Calfornia
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.
PG&E said it began shutting off power to customers in Lake, Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties to prevent wildfires due to high winds and low humidity.
Similar winds are expected in the mountains again Thursday night. The event will begin to wind down Friday and into Saturday, according to the FOX Forecast Center.