A mansion goes up in flames as the Mountain Fire burns Wednesday in Camarillo, California. The fire, which is being fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, has burned an estimated 9,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes. Photo by Allison Dinner/EPA-EFE
Nov. 6 (UPI) — Two fast-moving wildfires in southern California, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, have destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of residents to evacuate.
The Mountain Fire in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles, has injured several people and burned multiple structures, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. The fire has burned an estimated 9,000 acres.
On Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning — the most extreme fire weather warning — across Southwest California through Friday due to the winds.
“Strong winds in the area are contributing to challenging conditions,” the fire department wrote Wednesday in a post on X.
“Currently 140 firefighters are on scene, utilizing 58 fire apparatus, with additional helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft requested to assist.”
#MountainFire Firefighters are actively responding to a second-alarm brush fire on South Mountain, near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. Strong winds in the area are contributing to challenging conditions. Currently, 140 firefighters are on scene, utilizing… pic.twitter.com/6usjlw4XSq— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) November 6, 2024
Evacuation orders are in effect for thousands, including the National Weather Service, which was forced to evacuate its office in Oxnard.
The Mountain Fire also crossed Highway 118 and is impacting the Camarillo Heights area.
“Due to extreme wind conditions, fixed-wing aircraft are unable to assist in firefighting efforts,” the Ventura County Fire Department wrote Wednesday in a post. “Ground crews, helicopters and mutual aid resources are actively working to protect lives and property.”
#MountainFire UPDATE:
The fire has crossed Highway 118 and is now impacting the Camarillo Heights area. Evacuation orders are in effect, and we urge residents to follow these orders for their safety. Several individuals have been injured and transported to local hospitals…. pic.twitter.com/rWpKIdDfpe— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) November 6, 2024
In Malibu, the Broad Fire along Pacific Coast Highway burned 50 acres and at least two buildings.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department warned, “There is a shelter in place order, deputies may be evacuating individual homes as needed.”
A video in a post from the National Weather Service in Los Angeles showed the strong Santa Ana winds, blowing up to 51 mph, and the fire burning near Pepperdine University.