Fueled by intense Santa Ana winds, the Mountain Fire has scorched over 20,000 acres, injuring multiple people and destroying 132 structures, primarily homes in Ventura County neighborhoods.
After assessing the devastation, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an emergency proclamation Thursday to support firefighting efforts. Since the fire ignited Wednesday morning, the nearly 32-square-mile blaze has forced thousands to evacuate, damaging an additional 88 structures beyond those destroyed, authorities shared in a Thursday news briefing.
By Friday morning, containment remained at just 7%, with the fire spreading across approximately 20,596 acres, according to Cal Fire. Around 2,420 firefighters and first responders are actively battling the blaze.
The fire began around 8:50 a.m. Wednesday on South Mountain near Moorpark, close to Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road in Somis, according to Cal Fire officials. Within five hours, it expanded rapidly, engulfing over 10,000 acres and reaching 14,000 acres by evening, continuing to consume thousands more acres over subsequent days.
“This fire has grown with remarkable speed and size,” Newsom said during a visit to Ventura County on Thursday, as he surveyed some of the destruction. He assured the public that the state is “mobilizing every available resource” to aid firefighting efforts.
Evacuation orders and red flag warnings The evacuation area expanded Wednesday night, with residents of Santa Paula among the latest to be forced from their homes, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff confirmed.
“We understand the hardship this brings, and our thoughts are with everyone affected,” Fryhoff said, addressing evacuees and those impacted by the fire. “Conditions remain extremely dangerous.”
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated as the fire threatens about 3,500 homes, businesses, and other structures, Newsom reported. Sheriff Fryhoff noted that over 14,000 people have received evacuation orders. Communities including Camarillo, Somis, and areas around Moorpark remain under evacuation orders as the fire spreads.
Earlier this week, FEMA approved funding to support the firefighting efforts.
Throughout Wednesday night and into Thursday, helicopters continued water drops over the fire, an unusual measure for a wildland incident, said local officials. Despite some improvements in conditions, firefighters faced ongoing challenges due to the rugged terrain and dry vegetation.
On Friday morning, the Ventura County Fire Department noted, “The fire is burning in steep, challenging terrain with dry, receptive fuels that hinder containment efforts.” Reduced wind conditions helped moderate the fire’s spread.
Fire officials have focused their efforts on areas with particularly challenging weather and terrain. “Our main focus is the northeast side of the fire, north of Somis and south of Santa Paula along the Santa Susana Mountain range,” shared Johnson, a fire official. “This is a complex area to tackle.”
Environmental factors such as accumulated dry brush and high winds have contributed to the fire’s rapid growth, explained Drew Smith, a fire behavior analyst with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
“We’ve experienced above-average rainfall over the last two years, creating dense grass growth,” Smith explained. “These fine fuels, coupled with warm, dry, windy conditions, set up a ‘perfect storm’ for fire growth.”
Smith added that with strong winds, embers can travel up to three miles, significantly accelerating the fire’s spread.
The wildfire has injured ten individuals, primarily due to smoke inhalation, Ventura County officials announced in a Thursday news conference. Cal Fire also reported at least six injuries among civilians and firefighters.
“Our top priority at Ventura County Fire is life safety,” stated Andrew Dowd, Ventura County Fire spokesperson. “We urge all residents in affected areas to follow evacuation orders immediately. This is our main concern.”
On Thursday morning, winds reached 39 mph in the Mountain Fire area near Moorpark and Simi Valley, with high winds expected until about 4 p.m., after which gusts are forecasted to drop to around 15 mph.
Evacuation Orders Issued
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders for thousands of residents in Camarillo, Somis, and areas around the Santa Clara River. As the fire moved southward Thursday morning, areas around Camarillo, including Las Posas Country Club and Sterling Hills Golf Club, were also under evacuation orders.
“All evacuation orders and warnings remain active due to the high fire risk,” officials noted Thursday. Earlier, authorities had reported two individuals hospitalized with injuries.
“If you’re in the fire-impacted area and can smell smoke, it’s time to be prepared to leave,” advised Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. He cautioned residents against attempting to stay and defend their homes.
“We see it time and again—people intend to stay and protect their property until the fire reaches them,” Gardner said. “Then it becomes overwhelming with heat and smoke, making it impossible to see, breathe, or defend anything. Don’t risk it; your belongings can be replaced, but your family’s safety is paramount.”
An evacuation center has been set up at Padre Serra Parish at 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo. Homeowners with large animals are directed to the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 E. Harbor Boulevard, while small pets can be taken to the Ventura County Animal Shelter near Camarillo Airport at 600 Aviation Drive.
At an overnight shelter in Camarillo, American Red Cross spokesperson David Wagner shared that nurses treated evacuees for minor injuries like scrapes and burns sustained while escaping. The shelter provided beds and meals for families who remained evacuated overnight.
As of Friday, damage inspection teams were still evaluating the extent of destruction to homes in the affected areas.
Many evacuees recounted their efforts to assist friends, family, and neighbors as the fire spread across Camarillo, Moorpark, and Somis. The situation has led to widespread school closures, power outages, and a request from Ventura city officials for residents to conserve water to support firefighting efforts.
Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, the Mountain Fire has scorched over 20,000 acres, injuring multiple people and destroying 132 structures, mostly homes in Ventura County. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Thursday to support firefighting efforts. Since it began Wednesday morning, the fire has forced thousands to evacuate and damaged an additional 88 structures, officials reported at a Thursday press conference.
As of Friday morning, the blaze was only 7% contained, covering roughly 20,596 acres, according to Cal Fire. Around 2,420 firefighters and first responders are actively working to combat the wildfire.
The fire ignited at approximately 8:50 a.m. on Wednesday on South Mountain near Moorpark, in the vicinity of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road in Somis, Cal Fire officials said. Within just five hours, it grew to over 10,000 acres, reaching 14,000 acres by evening and continuing to expand in the following days.
“It’s extraordinary how fast this fire has spread and grown in size,” Newsom said on Thursday, while surveying some of the wreckage in Ventura County. He assured the public that the state is “deploying every available resource” to support firefighting efforts.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has issued mandatory evacuation orders for thousands of residents in areas such as Camarillo, Somis, and regions along the Santa Clara River. Communities near the Las Posas Country Club and Sterling Hills Golf Club are also under evacuation orders.
Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff emphasized the importance of adhering to these orders. “We know this is a difficult time, and we stand with all those affected,” he said, urging residents to prioritize safety. The fire has threatened around 3,500 structures, with at least 14,000 people asked to evacuate.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated funds to aid in firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued Red Flag Warnings, including a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” alert, warning of hazardous conditions that could intensify the blaze.
The wildfire has been exacerbated by wind gusts of up to 39 mph in areas like Moorpark and Simi Valley, creating significant challenges for containment. On Thursday, officials stated that winds would decrease to around 15 mph by the afternoon. According to Drew Smith, a fire behavior analyst from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, a combination of dry vegetation and heavy winds has created an “environmental recipe” that promotes rapid fire spread. Smith highlighted that two years of above-average rainfall had created thick grass and brush, now dried out and highly flammable.
Ventura County Fire Captain Trevor Johnson noted that initial firefighting efforts focused on protecting structures and ensuring resident safety. “Our crews have been engaged in critical, life-saving operations across the incident,” Johnson stated.
Johnson also described the fire’s challenging terrain, with steep slopes and dry, receptive fuels hindering containment. “Our primary focus is currently on the northeast side of the fire, near Somis and Santa Paula in the Santa Susana Mountain range,” he said, noting that this area poses particular challenges for firefighters.
Evacuation centers have been set up at Padre Serra Parish at 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo, with accommodations for large pets at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and small pets at the Ventura County Animal Shelter near Camarillo Airport. The American Red Cross is assisting evacuees, providing food, beds, and medical care for minor injuries such as scrapes and burns.
The fire has led to numerous school closures across Ventura County due to poor air quality and power shutoffs by utilities attempting to prevent further fire risks. Some schools that remain open are keeping students indoors to reduce exposure to smoke and ash. The Pleasant Valley School District expressed its support for affected families, stating that plans would be in place to address students’ mental health needs when they return to school.
Cal Fire and local authorities have enforced numerous road closures, including:
Residents in nearby areas are encouraged to monitor road conditions and remain prepared for further evacuations if needed.
The Mountain Fire continues to present a significant threat to Ventura County as firefighters work tirelessly to contain it. Environmental conditions and strong winds are expected to challenge these efforts in the days ahead.
Meteorologists recorded gusts exceeding 60 mph as the fire blazed through Ventura County on Wednesday. By Thursday, winds had calmed somewhat, with gusts expected to reach around 30 mph until noon, after which they were anticipated to decrease.
Rich Thompson, an incident meteorologist from the National Weather Service, noted that some of the extreme Red Flag conditions had eased by Thursday. However, Santa Ana winds were still forecasted to blow from the northeast at around 25 to 35 mph in the afternoon.
“This morning, conditions have moderated slightly, so now we’re under a standard Red Flag warning for the area,” Thompson explained, adding that very low humidity levels would persist throughout the day, though winds were expected to subside by late afternoon.
High winds had grounded fixed-wing firefighting aircraft within the first hours of the blaze, further complicating containment efforts, fire officials reported.
Dr. Josh Fisher, a climate scientist at Chapman University, emphasized that several factors combined to drive the wildfire’s rapid spread through hillside neighborhoods in Ventura County.
“Fire naturally moves faster uphill,” Fisher explained. “So, we have the topography, strong winds, and dry vegetation — plus proximity to roads and properties — all aligning to make this far worse than it might have been under calm conditions and moist vegetation.”
On Friday, the winds were expected to ease further. The National Weather Service predicted light north-northeast gusts between 5 and 10 mph in the morning, shifting to the south-southwest in the afternoon, with gusts up to 15 mph. This reduction marked an improvement from the intense winds that had driven the fire on Wednesday and Thursday.
As flames tore through hundreds of acres within hours, residents scrambled to evacuate, facing a swift and urgent situation.
“We’ve never seen anything like this before. I never thought something like this would happen to us,” said Ken Levin, whose home borders the Spanish Hills area. “The fire department is out here creating fire breaks behind our property, and the wind is blowing south. So, we feel cautiously optimistic… I think we’ll be okay.”
He added, “Thank God for our firefighters who are here when we need them.”
In Camarillo, Cindi Hitt went to help a friend evacuate but found the chaos overwhelming. “My friend was so shaken up she couldn’t even tell me what to grab, and I was just as rattled,” Hitt recalled. “Then I realized it was time to leave.”
However, Hitt’s escape nearly didn’t happen, as her car got stuck right by the flames. “My car was stuck, right next to where the fire was,” she said. “The firefighters were right there and incredibly helpful.”
Legal Assistance
If you or a loved one has experienced loss, damage, or displacement due to the Mountain Fire, you may be entitled to compensation. Don’t hesitate to contact Avian Law Group—our team is here to support homeowners with fire, ash, and soot damage claims.