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Slowing winds are helping firefighters battle devastating fire in California
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Slowing winds are helping firefighters battle devastating fire in California

Southern California firefighters were making progress against a wildfire that destroyed more than 130 structures.

LOS ANGELES — Southern California firefighters on Saturday gain ground The forest fire destroyed more than 130 structures due to the decrease in strong winds and favorable weather conditions expected throughout the weekend.

The Mountain Fire in Ventura County is contained to an area of ​​32 square miles (about 83 square kilometers) and is 17% contained, Fire Operations Division Chief Clint Swensen said. There was a fire Wednesday It erupted amid dry, warm and gusty northeast winds, forcing thousands of residents to flee and threatening 3,500 structures in suburban neighborhoods, farms and agricultural fields around the Camarillo community.

Red flag warnings indicating high fire danger conditions ended Thursday across much of the region. Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, said smoky skies hung over the area on Saturday with fairly light winds ranging from five to 10 miles per hour (eight to 16 km/h).

“It’s perfect for the weekend,” Kittell said. “Good for firefighting, but not so good for air quality.”

Kittell said some forecasts showed winds returning to the area on Tuesday, but not to the extent seen last week.

The area northwest of Los Angeles has seen some of California’s most devastating fires over the years. The Mountain Fire quickly grew from half a square mile (about 1.2 square kilometers) to more than 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) in just over five hours on Wednesday, with winds reaching 98 kilometers per hour.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Ventura County.