This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information on the fire, you can check:

Many forest fires broke out on Wednesday due to strong Santa Ana winds.

Conditions this dangerous — stormy, dry and widespread — haven’t been seen since 2020, according to the National Weather Service. And they’re reminiscent of what we saw during the devastating Woolsey Fire of 2018.

Flames from the Mountain Fire engulfed a home on Wednesday.

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Etienne Laurent

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AFP via Getty Images

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Let’s assume that fires that start near the coast can spread to the Pacific Ocean as long as there are strong winds. They have to finish it by Friday.

The Large Fire, which started in Malibu Bluffs Park in mid-morning, quickly grew to 50 acres, damaging two homes and destroying one. Once it hit the Pacific, forward progress was halted. If the fire had started further inland, it could have been disastrous for more homeowners in the area.

The Pacific Coast Highway was closed in both directions near Malibu Canyon Road.

However, fire officials have expressed serious concerns about the danger posed by the Mountain Fire in Ventura County.

The Mountain Fire burning in the Camarillo area is a classic Santa Ana wind event moving at a “dangerous rate of spread,” Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

Gardner urged residents to leave the area when they receive evacuation orders for their area. “These are not one of those fires where you can wait and predict and maybe stay home,” he said. “Your homes can be replaced, but your lives cannot be replaced. To leave.”

Officials said they expect red flag warning fire conditions to continue through at least Thursday evening.

An aerial photo shows smoke rising from the hills in Moorpark on Nov. 6, 2024.

Mountain Fire basics

The Mountain Fire broke out around 9:41 a.m. Wednesday morning near Moorpark at Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. It is currently at 0%.

• Area: 10,500 acres
• Limitation: 0%
• Structures: Many buildings burned.
• Deaths: None
• Injuries: Some reported
• Firefighting personnel: Not available
• Power outages: More than 20,000 Ventura County customers affected

Evacuation map and orders

Evacuation orders have been issued by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department for the following areas:

• North of Somis: Areas north of East Los Angeles Boulevard/Hwy 118, west of Balcom Canyon Road, and east of La Vista Boulevard
• Saticoy Country Club: East of Los Angeles Ave/Hwy 118, south of the Santa Clara River and north of Beardsley Road
• Areas south of Hwy 118, west of N. Lewis Road, north of North Loop Drive and Mission Drive, and east of Fairway Drive
• West Camarillo (Las Posas/Spanish Hills areas): north of Las Posas Road, south and east of Central Avenue and Beardsley Road, and west of Anacapa Drive
• Area extending south of the Santa Clara River, east of Los Angeles Boulevard, north of Saticoy County Club, and west of Briggs Road
• The area north of Hwy 101, south and east of Beardsley Boulevard, and south of Central Boulevard

Evacuation warnings

Authorities say those who need additional time to evacuate and those who have pets should leave the area immediately. We will update with additional alerts as information becomes available.

evacuation shelters

• Padre Serra Parish5205 Highland Road, Camarillo
• For large animals: Ventura County Fairgrounds10 E. Harbor Boulevard, Ventura
• For small animals: Ventura County Animal Services (Camarillo Airport), 600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo

closed roads

• Lewis Trail Going North in Las Posas
• Eastbound Highway 118 at Wells Road
• Westbound Highway 118 at Tierra Rejada Road

school closings

All four schools in Malibu will be closed Thursday due to hazardous fire conditions, road closures and possible power outages, according to officials. This includes all programs at Webster Elementary School, Malibu Elementary School, Malibu Middle School and Malibu High School. The Malibu Boys and Girls Club will also be closed.

What we know so far

The Mountain Fire broke out in the Somis area around 9 a.m. and almost immediately led to mandatory evacuations in Ventura County. It reached more than 10,000 acres, jumped over Highway 118 and sped toward the community of Camarillo Heights by noon. Many injuries were reported.

What’s particularly concerning about this fire is that it could move toward the ocean, and there are many neighborhoods between where it started and the Pacific.

“The potential is there,” said Scott Dettorre, public information officer for the Ventura County Fire Department. “The good thing is that once it gets out of the area it will hit the flats and the fuel bed will start to break down. That’s where it can help contain it.”

Standing on a hill near the temporary evacuation center in Padre Serra Parish, Cheryl Sabato said she evacuated her home in the Somis area early Wednesday morning.

“It was pretty sad,” Sabato told LAist as he watched Camarillo burn below.

“This is crazy. “We experience this every year, but not enough to get over the hill,” he added, surprised that the fire spread to Highway 118.

Helicopters dropped water on flames Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to save hillside homes in Camarillo. Neighborhood residents watched, hoping their homes would be saved.

It is stated that VC Fire attacked the scene six times and more teams from LA City arrived to help.

Latest evacuation map can be found here.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Announced Wednesday afternoon He said he authorized the use of federal dollars to help California fight the Mountain Fire. This money can go towards field camps, supplies, equipment usage and other firefighting expenses.

As of Nov. 6, all homes at risk of fire are primary residences, according to FEMA.

weather conditions

Winds of up to 80 miles per hour were observed.

Red flag conditions will remain a threat until late Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Resources to prepare for and deal with wildfire

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